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1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

The  Good  Ship  Gryphon. 


Page  0. 


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THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON; 


*    y^r^. 


OR, 


■  '<■ 


ON  THE  RIGHT  TACK. 


BY 


J.  MACDONALD  OXLEY, 

Amt*^ er  "Ben  Lloy<rs  Boyhood-  "Fergu,  McTaznsh," Ht, 


PHILADELPHIA: 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETV. 
1420  Chestnut  Street. 


310339 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1898,  by  the 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


I  »-.i-(»?"t(,',i:T»-i'  i»'J'i'iflrt  i.i. 


CONTENTS. 


■j.'>- 


CHAPTER  L 
Dick  Holland  Joins  His  Ship 

CHAPTER  II. 

Learning  the  Ropes.  . 

' 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Baptism  of  Fire, 


PAGI 

.       6 
.     19 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  Pleasant  Experience.     . 

'         •    • 

CHAPTER  V. 

A  Trip  Inland,     .    .    . 

' 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Work  After  Plat, 

CHAPTER  VII. 

In  Active  Service,  .    . 

'  

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Overcoming  and  Being  Overcome,.     . 

8 


88 


.      47 


.      61 


.      74 


.      87 


100 


Ll.l!44«i  t*.ii;ihM-H»?S;iiI  I'tt'i 


\  1 

'I 

4  --  CONTENTS. 

*  TAOK 

CHAPTER  IX. 
'       Tbs  Tablks  Turned, 110 

CHAPTER  X. 
In  thx  Hands  of  thk  Enbmt, 122 

.                      CHAPTER  XI. 
Under  the  British  Flag  Again, 186 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Scenes  on  Shore, 148 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Hunting  Priyj^teers, 161 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Good  for  Etil, 174 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Diamond  Rock,      189 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
A  Gallant  Defense, 203 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
An  Honorable  Surrender, 218 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Trafalgar  and  Home  Again, 283 


tvsiin''  •♦•«>v«ni 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


CHAPTER  I. 


DICK  HOLLAND  JOINS  HIS  SHIP. 

IT  was  the  day  of  her  departure  for  a  three  years' 
cruise  upon  the  West  Indian  Station,  and  His 
Gracious  Majesty's  staunch  frigate  "Grjrphon"  pre- 
sented a  scene  of  confusion  weU  calculated  to  bewilder 
anybody  but  a  veteran  bo'sun,  accustomed  to  see  order 
brought  out  of  chaos  on  shipboard  with  wonderful  expe- 
dition. 

The  deck  was  crowded  with  sheep,  swine,  and  fowls  for 
the  officers'  table,  with  barrels  of  beef,  pork,  and  biscuits 
for  the  sailors'  mess,  with  trunks,  portmanteaus,  bags,  and 
boxes,  containing  the  kits  of  the  crew,  not  to  mention  a 
miscellaneous  crowd  of  friends  and  relatives  come  to  bid 
a  reluctant,  tearful  "  good-bye,"  of  tradesmen  and  duns 
anxiously  endeavoring  to  get  payment  of  unsettled 
scores,  and  of  dealers  in  all  sorts  of  small  wares  making 
most  of  their  opportunities  ere  the  command  would  issue 
to  clear  the  ship. 

NOTR. — ^The  author  desires  to  express  his  obligations  to  those  brUliant  sen 
stories,  *' Tom  Cringle's  Log"  and  "The  Cruise  of  the  Midge,"  which  were 
found  especially  helpful  in  the  preparation  of  this  volume. 

6 


6  THE   GOOD  SHIP  ORYPHON. 

In  a  corner,  apnrt  from  all  this  bustle,  stood  a  little 
group  that  seemed  to  have  thought  only  for  itself,  and  to 
be  quite  oblivious  of  the  turmoil  around.  It  was  com- 
posed of  three  persons — a  slight,  sweet-faced  lady,  dressed 
in  black,  whose  pale  cheeks  showed  signs  of  much  weep- 
ing, a  stout,  grizzled,  honest-mugged  man-servant,  holding 
tightly  to  a  bag  that  looked  as  if  it  might  contain  a 
goodly  store  of  traveler's  comforts,  and  finally,  a  boy  of 
about  fourteen  years  of  age,  who,  as  befits  the  hero  of 
our  story,  must  have  a  more  minute  description. 

There  was  not  very  much  of  him  to  begin  with.  He 
stood  not  more  than  four  feet  ten  in  his  stockings,  and 
his  weight  could  not  have  greatly  exceeded  one  hun- 
dred pounds,  aW  told.  Yet  one  did  not  need  to  look 
at  him  twice  in  order  to  feel  convinced  that  light  and 
small  as  he  seemed,  he  might  prove  himself  an  antago- 
nist by  no  means  to  be  despised  in  a  fair  fight.  His 
frame  was  well  knit  and  symmetrical ;  his  breast  full  and 
deep,  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  at  school  he  bore  the  nick- 
name of  "  Dickey-bird,"  in  allusion  to  his  swelling  chest ; 
his  features  were  regular  and  clear-cut;  his  naturally 
fair  complexion  was  tanned  to  a  light  olive  by  constant 
exposure  to  the  sun ;  his  blonde  hair  curled  crisply  back 
from  a  broad  forehead ;  and  there  was  stamped  upon  his 
countenance,  and  expressed  in  every  movement  of  his 
body,  energy,  resolution,  and  sanguine  courage,  to  a 
degree  that  gave  good  augury  for  his  fiiture  career. 

He  now,  poor  little  chap,  found  himself  to  be  in  a  sore 
strait  betwixt  contending  emotions.    He  felt  as  keenly  as 


DICK  HOLLAND  JOINS   HIS  SHIP. 


any  fond  son  could  the  parting  from  his  mother,  and  her 
own  unrestrained  grief  made  it  all  the  harder  for  him 
to  keep  back  the  tears  that  ever  threatened  to  flood  his 
smooth  cheeks.  Yet  at  the  same  time  he  fully  recog- 
nized the  dignities  and  responsibilities  of  his  new  position, 
and  it  seemed  to  him  that  no  place  had  been  left  upon  the 
programme  for  crying.  So  it  was  a  hard  struggle  be- 
tween pride  and  tenderness  of  heart,  and  neither  side 
had  it  altogether  its  own  way. 

Mrs.  Holland's  grief  was  not  without  good  excuse. 
The  boy  before  her  was  the  only  son  of  his  mother,  and 
she  was  a  widow.  Her  husband  had  been  one  of  the 
most  gallant  and  faithful  captains  in  His  Majesty's  navy, 
and  after  a  brief  but  brilliant  career,  had  come  home 
invalided  to  linger  out  a  year  or  two  in  growing  weakness 
until  the  end  came  while  he  was  still  comparatively  a 
young  man. 

It  was  Mrs.  Holland's  hope  and  prayer  that  the  boy, 
who  was  the  joy  and  solace  of  her  life,  would  be  content 
to  choose  some  shore-going  occupation  when  the  time 
came  for  him  to  begin  life  for  himself.  But  destiny  had 
decided  otherwise.  The  love  of  the  sea  was  born  in  little 
Dick,  as  surely  as  it  had  been  in  his  father  before  him. 
To  have  bound  him  down  to  anything  else  would  simply 
have  been  to  miserably  mar  his  life ;  and  so  it  came 
about  that,  sacrificing  her  own  desire  to  her  son's,  Mrs. 
Holland  sought  and  obtained  for  him  the  appointment  to 
the  "  Gryphon,"  which  rejoiced  his  heart  while  it  almost 
broke  hers. 


\ 


8 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


; 


The  command  came  to  "  clear  the  ship  "  as  they  were 
still  talking  earnestly,  Mrs.  Holland  mingling  prayers 
with  motherly  injunctions,  and  Dick  promising  loyally  to 
do  everything  she  wished.  Again  and  again  did  the 
weeping  woman  press  her  son  to  her  bosom,  ana  cover 
his  face  with  kisses,  and  then  at  last,  not  daring  to  linger 
any  longer,  she  drew  the  veil  over  her  face,  and  taking  the 
arm  of  the  man-servant,  hastened  off  the  ship,  and  was 
soon  lost  in  the  crowd  that  thronged  the  pier. 

With  a  tremendous  sigh  Dick  dashed  away  the  tears 
that  glistened  on  his  cheeks,  drew  himself  up  to  his  full 
height,  and  followed  his  mother  with  his  eyes  as  long  as 
she  was  in  sight,  saying  softly : 

"  Dear,  darling  mother,  how  hard  it  goes  with  her  to 
say  good-bye  to  me  I  But  I'll  write  her  big,  long  letters 
that  will  comfort  her  heart." 

To  Master  Dick's  credit,  be  it  said,  that  although  at 
school  he  would  much  rather  at  any  time  have  taken  a 
good  whipping  than  write  a  composition,  he  faithfully 
carried  out  this  pledge  of  letter-writing,  never  letting  a 
week  pass  without  some  sort  of  a  scrawl ;  and  the  packets 
of  rather  illegible  but  unmistakably  affectionate  epistles, 
that  at  irregular  intervals  reached  "Briar  Cottage,"  in 
sunny  Kent,  brought  with  them  comfort  beyond  expres- 
sion to  the  expectant  woman,  in  whose  eyes  they  were 
of  surpassingly  more  importance  than  an  admiral's 
despatches. 

Dick  now  proceeded  to  look  about  him.  Although  the 
shore  folk  had  by  this  time  all  landed,  the  confusion  on 


•■»ni^utntu't''iif'tit«iUi'»<»'>-<i  i"' 


DICK   HOLLAND  JOINS  HIS  SHIP, 


9 


the 
ion 


board  seemed  in  no  wise  abated.  The  ship  was  slowly 
gliding  out  into  mid-channel,  her  huge  sails  flapping 
loudly,  and  her  blocks  creaking  noisily,  as  the  canvas 
swelled  into  the  spaces  between  the  yards ;  agile  sailors 
were  darting  hither  and  thither,  up  and  down,  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  shrill  whistling  and  hoarse  shouting  of  shaggy 
bo'suns ;  on  the  after-deck  a  group  of  officers  in  jaunty 
uniforms  had  gathered ;  and  not  knowing  what  else  to 
do  Dick  made  his  way  toward  them.  No  one  noticed 
him  at  first,  as  he  stood  there  quietly,  cap  in  hand.  Then 
one  of  the  officers  did  catch  sight  of  him,  and  sui  prised 
at  seeing  a  midshipman  on  the  quarter-deck  without 
any  apparent  business  to  be  there,  addressed  him 
sharply: 

"  What  are  you  doing  here,  sir  '  " 

Much  taken  aback  at  this  unexpected  question,  poor 
Dick,  in  some  con^ion  was  about  to  explain,  when 
another  officer,  whose  uniform  betokened  a  higher  rank, 
overhearing  the  question  turned  to  see  to  whom  it  was 
addressed,  and  realizing  Ihe  situation  at  a  glance,  said 
in  a  much  kindlier  tone : 

"  One  of  the  new  midshipman,  no  doubt.  Come  for 
ward,  sir,  and  report  yourself." 

Dropping  his  bag,  Dick  made  a  low  bob,  in  his  bear 
style,  and  approached  this  officer,  who  was  no  other  than 
Captain  Fitewell  himself,  one  of  the  bravest  and  most 
capable  commanders  in  the  navy. 

"  Well,  sir,  will  you  be  good  enough  to  name  yourself," 
said  the  captain. 


r:. 


!i| 


10 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


"  Richard  Holland,  if  you  please,  sir,"  answered  Dick, 
with  another  bob. 

"  Oh,  ho  1 "  exclaimed  the  captain,  his  bronze  face  re- 
laxing into  a  genial  smile.  ''So  you  are  little  Dick 
Holland.  Right  well  did  I  know  your  father,  my  boy, 
and  many  a  year  we  knocked  about  together.  I'm  very 
glad  to  have  you  on  my  ship.  If  you've  got  the  same 
stuff  in  you  as  was  in  your  father,  you're  bound  to  make  a 
good  officer,  and  if  you  take  him  for  your  pattern,  you'll 
always  find  in  me  a  friend  when  you  need  one.  Let  me 
shake  hands  with  you." 

As  Dick  advanced  with  outstretched  hand  he  had 
the  greatest  difficulty  to  keep  from  bursting  into  tears. 
His  feelings  had  been  under  a  severe  strain  all  day,  and 
this  unexpected  warmth  of  greeting  following  close  upon 
the  lieutenant's  sharp  challenge,  all  but  broke  down  his  last 
defense.  However,  by  a  heroic  effort  he  kept  himself  under 
control,  and  looking  up  into  Captain  Fitewell's  kindly 
face  with  brimming  eyes,  returned  his  hand-clasp  with 
all  the  vigor  of  which  he  was  capable. 

The  captain  smiled  at  the  ardor  of  his  grip,  and  then 
turning  to  the  officer  who  had  first  addressed  Dick,  said : 

"  Lieutenant  Wadham,  will  you  be  good  enough  to  in- 
troduce Midshipman  Holland  to  the  gun  room  ?  " 

Thus  dismissed,  Dick  made  another  bob,  recovered 
possession  of  his  bag,  and,  with  his  heart  in  his  mouth, 
followed  his  guide  down  the  companion-way  to  the  gun 
room.  He  at  once  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  a  very 
babel.    Some  ten  or  twelve  lads,  ranging  in  years  from 


•  ilM^Ttr'USt*^'  '♦'♦•Vtlll'i'Vin  »'*'  •• 


DICK   HOLLAND  JOINS  HIS  SHIP. 


11 


fourteen  to  twenty,  were  scatcered  about  a  long,  narrow 
room,  lighted  only  by  three  small  portholes,  skylarking  in 
the  wildest  manner.  Some  of  the  elders  had  evidently  been 
indulging  in  more  wine  than  was  good  for  them,  and  were 
disposed  to  be  either  provokingly  pugnacious  or  fulsomely 
affectionate,  while  the  younger  boys  had  to  endure  their 
insults  or  endearments,  which  were  equally  unwelcome,  as 
best  they  might. 

"Here  you  are;  make  yourself  at  home,"  said  the 
lieutenant,  curtly,  and  turning  on  his  heel,  left  poor  Dick 
to  find  his  own  way  without  even  so  much  as  an  intro- 
duction. With  a  sinking  heart  but  steady  countenance 
he  stood  surveying  the  scene.  It  was  not  at  all  in  accord- 
ance with  his  anticipations. 

The  coarse  speech,  interlarded  with  oaths,  and  the 
rough,  witless  horse-play,  the  plain,  bare,  almost  squalid 
look  of  the  room,  and  the  close,  rank  atmosphere,  all 
tended  to  fill  him  with  disgust.  A  great  qualm  of  home- 
sickness came  over  him.  He  felt  as  though  he  should 
suffocate  if  he  did  not  rush  up  on  deck  again,  and  he  was 
just  about  to  do  so  when  one  of  the  lads,  catching  sight  of 
him  as  he  stood  doubtfiilly  in  the  doorway,  shouted  out : 

"Hullo,  here's  the  new  mid  I  Say,  just  come  up  here 
and  report  yourself" 

Thus  addressed,  Dick  instantly  gave  up  the  idea  of  re- 
turning to  the  deck,  and  instead  took  a  step  farther  into 
the  room.  By  this  time  all  eyes  were  upon  him,  and  he 
had  to  bear  their  scrutiny  until  he  was  studied  from  head 
to  heel. 


\ 


18 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


H 


! 


"  Conio  here  and  report  yourself,  I  tell  you,"  waa  de- 
manded of  him  again,  and  by  way  of  compliance,  Dick 
moved  as  far  m  tlie  table,  and  then  stood  still,  not  know- 
ing what  to  say  or  do. 

The  boys  ranged  themselves  on  the  other  side  as  though 
they  intended  to  constitute  a  board  of  inquiry,  and  he  was 
on  trial  before  them.  Then  one,  who  was  apparently  the 
oldest,  and  tlie  most  under  the  influence  of  wine,  proceeded 
to  examine  him  with  drunken  gravity: 

"  What's  your  name  ?  " 

"Richard  Holhmd." 

"  Who  was  your  father?  " 

"  Captain  Holland,  of  II.  M.  S.  *  Firefly.* " 

This  answer  M'ideutly  made  a  good  impression,  for  it 
showed  that  he  came  rightfully  by  his  naval  aspirations. 

"  How  old  iire  you  ?  " 

"  Fourteen  last  October." 

There  was  a  nmrmur  of  surprise  at  this,  for  Dick's 
shortness  of  stature  had  conveyed  the  impression  that  he 
nuist  be  a  year  or  two  younger. 

"Does  your  mother  know  you're  out?'* 

The  question  hit  poor  Dick  harder  than  his  examiner 
could  have  imagined.  Ke  had  for  the  moment,  in  the 
bewildering  novelty  of  \n»  surroundings,  almost  forgotten 
his  mother,  and  now  the  picture  of  her  pale,  tear-stained 
face,  as  she  tore  hei-self  away  from  him,  came  back  with 
well-nigh  overwhelming  force.  His  own  face  flushed 
ci'imson,  then  blanched  again.  His  lower  lip  trembled 
suspiciously,  and  his  eyes  became  misty. 


«||1lt  •>'♦'!"■»' ''»'1tT*llH'»'».IJi«'"' 


DICK   HOLLAND  JOINS   HIS  SHIP. 


13 


It  was  only  by  a  tremendous  effort  that  he  could  control 
himself  sufficiently  to  answer  in  a  tone  scarcely  audible : 

"My  mother  has  just  bidden  me  good-bye." 

There  was  something  in  this  answer,  and  the  effect  it 
produced  upon  many  of  the  listeners,  that  went  against  the 
grain  of  the  big  fellow  who  had  appointed  himself  Dick's 
inquisitor,  and  with  a  sneering  laugh  he  filled  a  tumbler 
from  a  bottle  that  stood  near  him,  and  holding  it  out  to 
the  boy,  said  in  a  tone  of  rough  command : 

"  Here,  then ;  drink  her  health  like  a  man." 

Instead  of  accepting  the  proffered  glass,  Dick  retreated 
a  step,  and  put  his  hands  behind  his  back.  He  would  not 
comply  with  this  order  for  two  reasons :  In  the  first  place, 
he  had  been  brought  up  to  believe  that  strong  drink  in 
any  form  was  better  let  alone  than  trifled  with,  and  he 
had  pledged  himself  to  his  mother  to  have  nothing  to  do 
with  it  under  any  circumstances.  In  the  second  place, 
even  if  he  had  been  wont  to  take  his  wine,  like  many  boys 
of  his  age,  the  thought  of  drinking  his  mother's  health 
under  such  circumstances  would  have  filled  him  with  re- 
pugnance. He  felt  as  though  it  would  be  nothing  short 
of  desecration. 

Nettled  by  his  hesitation  to  obey,  the  other,  whose  name 
was  Bulstrode,  and  who  was  the  bully  of  the  gun  room, 
roared  out  fiercely : 

"  Do  you  hear  me  ?  Drink  the  old  woman's  health,  I 
say,  and  no  heel  taps,  mind  you  I " 

This  disrespectful  allusion  to  his  mother  stung  Dick  to 
the  quick.    His  face  flushed  again,  but  this  time  it  was 


14 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


51 


with  anger.  His  fists  closed  tightly.  He  straightened 
himself  up,  and  looking  his  tormentor  full  in  the  face, 
said  as  quietly  as  he  could : 

"  I  hear  you  perfectly  well,  but  I  have  not  the  slightest 
intention  of  obeying  you." 

A  murmur  of  mingled  admiration  and  apprehension 
went  around  the  little  company  at  this  plucky  reply. 
Bulstrode  was  accustomed  to  have  pretty  much  his  own 
way  among  the  middies,  and  this  frank  defiance  delighted 
them  while  it  enraged  him. 

"You  haven't  the  slightest  intention  of  obeying  me, 

hey  ?  "  he  shouted,  furiously.     "  Then  by I'll  make 

you."  And  with  that  he  threw  himself  across  the  table 
and  grasped  Dick  by  the  shoulders. 

Now  Dick  had  no  lack  of  courage,  but  he  also  possessed 
a  good  share  of  common  sense.  Had  he  obeyed  his  first 
impulse,  he  would  have  clinched  with  Bulstrode  and 
fought  him  as  best  he  might.  This,  however,  would  have 
been  a  very  foolish  thing  to  do,  for  not  only  was  Bulstrode 
more  than  a  match  for  him  in  every  way,  but  in  all 
probability  some  of  the  others  would  give  him  assistance, 
if  necessary.  Dick  thought  of  this,  and  although  his  fists 
were  shut  tightly,  he  kept  them  at  his  side,  and  looked 
steadily  into  his  assailant's  angry  countenance. 

His  composed  bearing  rather  disconcerted  the  bully, 
who  had  expected  some  show  of  resistance  which  would 
justify  further  violence.  He  therefore  did  no  more  than 
give  Dick  a  shake,  saying : 

**  Are  you  going  to  drink  that  health  ?  " 


m!t,>Vtiii«'<il»'«tVl|lr|  ».ijh  1' 


DICK   HOLIJLND  JOINS   HIS  SHIP. 


15 


"  I  have  given  you  my  answer  already,"  Dick  replied. 

"  Then  I'll  give  you  mine,"  growled  Bulstrode.  "  Here, 
mates,"  he  cried,  "  come  along,  and  we'll  make  this  puppy 
do  as  he  is  bid." 

With  evident  reluctance,  yet  lacking  the  strength  of 
mind  to  refuse,  several  of  the  others  approached,  and 
Dick  presently  found  himself  stretched  out  upon  the  table, 
his  arms,  legs,  and  head  held  fast,  while  Bulstrode  en- 
deavored to  force  open  his  mouth  to  pour  the  wine  down. 
Dick  kept  his  teeth  clenched  in  spite  of  the  bully's  efforts, 
and  the  latter,  growing  more  and  more  enraged,  snatched 
up  a  marline  spike  that  chanced  to  be  at  hand,  and  was 
just  about  to  thrust  the  sharp  end  into  Dick's  mouth, 
with  the  certainty  of  inflicting  hurt,  when  suddenly  there 
came  from  the  door  a  voice,  demanding  in  tones  of  au- 
thority : 

"  What's  all  this  about  ?  What  mischief  are  you  up  to 
there?" 

A  hush  instantly  fell  upon  the  noisy  group.  Those  who 
had  hold  of  Dick  let  go,  and  drew  back  from  the  table  in 
a  confused  way,  and  Bulstrode  threw  the  marline  spike 
hurriedly  into  a  dark  corner.  The  moment  he  was  released, 
Dick  sat  up,  and  as  his  tormentors  seemed  to  have  com- 
pletely lost  their  tongues,  the  officer,  whose  appearance 
had  created  such  a  sensation,  and  who  was  no  other  than 
the  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  McKinstry,  turned  to  him  for  a 
reply,  repeating  his  question  in  a  much  milder  tone. 

Now,  indignant  as  Dick  rightfiilly  felt  at  the  rude 
reception  given  him,  he  had  no  more  idea  of  being  an 


16 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


informer  than  he  had  of  voluntarily  yielding  to  Bui- 
strode's  orders.  So,  getting  down  on  to  the  floor,  he  made 
his  best  bow  to  the  lieutenant,  and  replied  in  as  uncon- 
cerned a  tone  as  he  could  muster : 

"  Oh,  it's  nothing  much,  sir.  They  were  just  initiating 
me — ^that's  all." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  relief  from  the  boys  at  this 
manful  response,  and  a  look  of  warm  approval  came  into 
Lieutenant  MoKinsti  v^'s  countenance.  He  liked  that 
kind  of  spirit  in  a  boy,  and  he  was  shrewd  enough  not 
to  spoil  the  good  eflect  Dick's  answer  had  produced  by 
pressing  his  inquiry  any  further ;  so,  pretending  to  be 
quite  satisfied,  he  said  in  an  off-hand  way : 

"  That's  all,  hey  ?  Well,  doii't  carry  your  skylarking 
too  far,  you  know;  and  by  the  way,  Mr.  Bulstrode,  a 
word  with  you." 

With  a  very  uncomfortable,  hang-dog  expression,  Bul- 
strode  followed  the  lieutenant  out  of  the  room,  much  to 
the  relief  of  Dick,  who  felt  that  now  he  would  have  a 
better  chance  to  make  friends  with  his  new  companions. 
In  this  he  judged  rightly,  for  no  sooner  had  the  bully 
disappeared  than  the  middies  crowded  around  him,  shaking 
him  by  the  hand,  clapping  him  on  the  back,  and  other- 
wise manifesting  their  readiness  to  admit  him  to  a  friendly 
footing  without  further  parley.  He  had  made  a  good 
start  with  them.  They  were  delighted  with  his  frank, 
fearless  manner,  his  bright,  handsome  face,  and  his  sturdy 
little  figure,  and  he  soon  found  himself  feeling  at  his  ease. 
Names  were  given,  ages  compared,  and  experiences  of 


DICK   HOLLAND  JOINS  HIS   SHIP. 


17 


home  and  school  exchanged  with  all  that  freedom  from 
conventional  restriction  which  comes  natural  to  boys  of 
that  age,  and  Dick  quite  forget  his  homesickness,  while 
his  tongue  wagged  as  merrily  as  anybody's. 

In  the  meantime,  the  "  Gryphon  "  was  making  her  way 
into  the  chops  of  the  English  Channel  under  the  influ- 
ence of  a  spanking  nor' wester,  and  presently  began  to 
pitch  and  toss  in  a  lively,  irregular  fashion  that  caused 
Dick  to  discover  something  which,  thanks  to  the  superb 
health  he  had  enjoyed  from  his  cradle,  was  previously 
unknown  to  him,  viz.,  that  he  had  a  stomach  with  a  mind 
of  its  own,  and  that  this  aforesaid  stomach  held  very 
decided  opinions  on  the  subject  of  rough  water.  The 
dialogue  that  ensued  between  them  might  be  set  down 
somewhat  in  this  way : 

Dick  speaks:  "What's  the  matter  with  you,  down 
there  ?    What  are  you  grumbling  about  ?  " 

Stomach  replies :  "  Matter  enough.  I  can't  bear  this 
provoking  pitching  and  tossing.  Why  can't  the  vessel 
behave  herself?  " 

"  Because  it  can't,  and  there's  no  helping  it ;  so  just 
keep  still,  will  you?  " 

"  I'll  keep  still  if  the  ship  will,  but  if  the  ship's  going 
to  tumble  about  as  she's  doing  now,  why,  I'm  going  to 
tumble  about  too." 

And  tumble  about  it  did  until  at  last  poor  Dick  waa 

fain  to  give  up  the  contest  and  lie  down  upon  a  locker, 

with  his  head  pillowed  upon  his  bag,  feeling  himself  to 

be  the  most  utterly  miserable  specimen  of  humanity  alive. 

B 


II'       * 


18 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I 


Oh,  dear,  how  sick  and  weak  and  despairing  he  was  I 
Surely  nobody  ever  was  quite  so  bad  I  While  he  lay 
there,  finding  it  none  too  easy  a  task  to  keep  his  place  on 
the  hard,  smooth  cover  of  the  locker,  dinner  was  brought 
in,  and  despatched  by  the  other  middies  with  a  relish 
that  showed  they  had  no  internal  qualms,  although  it 
seemed  incomprehensible  to  Dick  that  anybody  should 
have  an  appetite  under  such  circumstances. 

As  soon  as  the  hammocks  were  slung,  he  crawled  into 
his,  feeling  more  dead  than  alive.  It  was  much  more 
comfortable  there  than  on  the  hard  locker,  but  he  con- 
tinued to  feel  very  wretched.  His  homesickness  came 
back  to  him  with  redoubled  force.  He  longed  for  his 
mother  as  never  before  in  his  life.  Oh,  how  welcome 
would  have  been  her  soft,  cool  hand  upon  his  burning 
forehead,  and  her  gentle  voice  lovingly  cheering  him  I 
Who  can  blame  him  if,  thinking  of  this,  and  feeling  as 
he  did,  he  drew  the  blankets  over  his  head,  buried  his 
face  in  the  pillow,  and  gave  way  to  the  tears  that  had 
hitherto  been  so  bravely  kept  back,  mingling  with  them 
broken  prayers  that  God  would  take  good  care  of  both 
his  mother  and  himself  until  they  should  be  reunited. 


at!l»Y^»li') 


•  ft'TMUCt  til/1'1'"' 


CHAPTER  11. 


LEABNINO  THE  ROPES. 

BY  the  time  the  "  Gryphon  "  had  exchanged  the  chops 
of  the  channel  for  the  billows  of  Biscay,  Dick  man- 
aged to  get  well  on  his  sea  legs,  and  started  in  to  master 
his  new  duties  with  a  vim  and  apt  intelligence  that  soon 
won  for  him  the  good  will  of  his  superior  officers,  and 
still  further  intensified  the  ill  will  of  Bulstrode,  who  tried 
hard  to  hf.ve  him  set  down  as  a  prig,  in  which,  however, 
he  had  not  much  encouragement. 

It  was  not  long  before  Dick  got  to  feel  thoroughly  at 
home.  It  is  true  the  salt,  tough  "junk,"  the  thick,  greasy 
soup,  the  heavy,  gummy  "  duff,"  the  rocky  "  hard- tack," 
and  the  strong  black  tea  and  coffee,  entirely  innocent  of 
milk,  were  poor  substitutes  for  the  toothsome,  if  not 
sumptuous,  country  fare  he  had  been  accustomed  to  at 
Briar  Cottage.  But  then  the  sea  life  gave  him  an  appe- 
tite keener  than  even  the  Kentish  downs  could,  and  there 
was  never  much  left  on  his  plate  at  the  end  of  the  meal. 
As  for  the  sleeping  accommodations,  why,  what  better  bed 
could  a  hearty  boy  wish  than  a  well-slung  hammock, 
with  plenty  of  blankets,  and,  if  it  was  a  trifle  draughty 
between  decks  sometimes,  that  only  showed  there  was  no 
lack  of  pure  air. 

He  soon  discovered  that  a  midshipman's  life  at  sea  was 

19 


Ii 


20 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I  ' 


far  from  being  an  idle  one.  There  were  hard  lessons  in 
navigation  to  be  learned,  pistol  and  cutlass  drill  to  be 
mastered,  long  watches  on  deck  to  keep,  and  so  forth ; 
but  he  was  determined  to  waste  no  time  in  getting  a  good 
grip  of  his  work,  and  he  made  rapid  progress.  He  had 
the  good  sense  not  to  hesitate  in  asking  questions  about 
anything  he  did  not  know.  No  foolish  pride  tied  his  ^ 
tongue,  and  as  his  manner  was  uniformly  respectful,  his 
inquiries  met  with  a  ready  response  from  even  the  gruffest 
of  the  officers.  They  recognized  the  sterling  stuff  that 
was  in  the  lad,  in  spite  of  his  diminutive  size,  and  deemed 
him  worth  encouraging. 

Among  the  sailors  he  grew  to  be  a  great  favorite.  His 
frank,  unpretentious  manner,  his  cheery  whistle,  his  hearty 
laugh,  and  above  all,  his  courteous  way  of  giving  orders, 
which  seemed  to  imply  that  the  men  had  feelings  worth 
respecting,  completely  won  their  honest  hearts.  They 
nick-named  him  the  "  Bantam  "  among  themselves,  in 
allusion  to  his  alert,  springy  step  and  small  stature,  and 
it  was  the  general  opinion  in  the  foc'sle  that  Mr.  Dick 
Holland  would  certainly  be  an  admiral  in  due  time,  pro- 
vided  he  kept  out  of  Davy  Jones*  locker  all  right. 

He  was  not  the  only  new  middy  on  the  "  Gryphon." 
The  day  before  he  came  on  board,  another  lad  joined  the 
ship,  being  brought  down  by  his  elder  brother,  who 
seemed  to  have  little  sympathy  for  the  poor  lad's  evident 
shrinking  from  the  ordeal  before  him.  This  was  Arthur 
Tenderly,  a  slight,  pale,  fair-haired  lad,  with  gentle  blue 
eyes  and  a  shy,  weak  face,  who  had  been  pitched  into  the 


«.  (-.ijii'*' 


lp:arnino  the  ropes. 


navy  surely  against  his  will,  partly  because  bia  father  Jid 
not  know  what  else  to  do  with  him,  having  three  or  four 
older  sons  to  provide  for,  and  partly  because  it  was  hoped 
that  the  active,  hardy,  adventurous  life  might  make  a 
man  of  him.  He  was  utterly  unsuited  to  his  novel  and 
trying  surroundings,  and  made  little  effort  to  accustom 
himself  to  them,  so  that,  as  was  inevitable,  he  became 
the  butt  and  fag  of  the  gun  room. 

Among  all  his  companions,  only  one  showed  him  any 
sympathy  or  consideration,  and  that  was  Dick.  This 
was  due  in  some  measure  to  his  looking  upon  him  with  a 
certain  fellow-feeling,  because  they  were  both  fresh  re- 
cruits, and  also  to  the  fact  that  if  Dick  was  small  of 
body  he  had  the  heart  of  a  giant,  and  always  sympathized 
with  the  under  dog  in  the  fight.  Tenderly  soon  came  to 
regard  Dick  as  his  champion,  which  seemed  somewhat 
absurd  in  view  of  the  fact  that  he  was  half  a  head  taller, 
though  only  a  month  or  so  older,  and  attached  himself  to 
him  with  a  devotion  which  pleased  Master  Dick,  even 
though  it  rather  bored  him  at  times.  In  allusion  to 
this  attachment,  Arthur  was  appropriately  nick-named 
the  "tender,"  and  the  last  syllable  of  his  name  was  rarely 
heard  in  the  gun  room. 

Tenderly  got  permission  to  have  his  hammock  slung 
alongside  of  Dick's,  and  took  a  great  deal  of  comfort  in 
having  his  doughty  little  friend  close  at  hand.  For  there 
was  plenty  of  rough  horse-play  and  practical  jokes  in- 
volving hard  knocks,  on  board  the  "  Gryphon,"  in  spite 
of  the  efforts  of  the  first  lieutenant,  who  strongly  disap- 


\ 


22 


THE  GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


^i 


ill 


1 


li 


proved  of  such  proceedings.  One  night,  when  neither 
Dick  nor  Arthur  was  on  watch,  and  they  were  able  to 
turn  into  their  hammocks  early,  the  former,  for  some 
reason  or  other,  possibly  because  of  an  over-indulgence 
at  dinner  in  the  plum  duff,  which  happened  to  be  par- 
ticularly good,  could  not  get  to  sleep  with  his  usual 
promptitude.  He  was  lying  awake,  feeling  very  cosy 
and  comfortable  in  his  snug  hammock,  and  listening  to 
the  noises  on  deck,  the  shrill  whistling  of  the  wind 
through  the  mazin  of  the  rigging,  the  creaking  of  the 
blocks,  and  the  gruff"  shouts  of  the  men,  when,  by  the  aid 
of  the  lantern  swung  at  the  companion-way,  which  did 
little  more  than  make  darkness  visible,  he  made  out  a 
form  creeping  Btealthily  in  his  direction,  and  at  once  sus- 
pected some  trick  was  about  to  be  played.  Half  shutting 
his  eyes,  he  carefully  watched  from  under  the  lids  the 
movements  of  the  figure.  He  at  first  thought  his  ham- 
mock was  to  be  attacked,  and  chuckled  inwardly,  saying 
to  himself: 

"  Ah,  ha,  my  boy ;  perhaps  I'll  teach  you  to  let  sleep- 
in/jr  dons  lie." 

But,  instead  of  coming  to  him,  the  figure  made  for 
Tenderly,  and  before  Dick  could  take  in  the  situation, 
there  was  a  sound  as  of  a  keen  knife  cutting  through 
cords,  and  instantly  the  sleeping  boy's  hammock  dropped 
headforemost  to  the  deck,  a  dull  thud  proclaiming  that  its 
occupant  had  suffered  by  the  fall.  With  the  agility  of 
a  monkey,  Dick  sprang  from  his  hammock,  and  flung 
himself  upon  the  intruder,  who  was  easily  tumbled  over. 


I 


:■'& 


.-TCI    •    ►•Kl   »'" 


LEARNIisG  THE  ROPES. 


23 


*'  You  sneaking  coward,"  hissed  Dick,  in  a  fine  excess 
of  righteous  indignation.  "  To  play  such  a  scurvy  trick 
on  poor  Tenderly." 

Just  as  he  sp  ke  he  identified  his  prisoner.  It  was 
Bulstrode,  who  had  just  come  off  his  watch  on  deck,  and 
thought  to  have  a  little  fun — save  the  mark — at  the  ex- 
pense of  "  the  tender  "  before  turning  in.  For  a  moment 
the  bully  had  been  so  bewildered  by  Dick's  swift  attack 
that  he  made  no  resistance,  but  recognizing  his  captor, 
in  the  next  moment  he  spluttered  out : 

"Let  me  up,  you  young  puppy,  or  I'll  break  every 
bone  in  your  body,"  and  put  forth  his  strength  to  free 
himself. 

It  was  a  most  unequal  struggle.  Besides  their  dis- 
parity in  size  and  weight,  Dick  had  only  his  night 
clothes  on,  while  Bulstrode  was  in  his  pea-jacket,  and, 
like  the  brute  that  he  was,  he  dug  his  nails  into  Dick's 
unprotected  flesh  as  they  struggled  together,  so  that  the 
latter  was  fain  to  crv  out : 

"  All  right,  I'll  let  you  up,  but  you're  a  miserable  cow- 
ard all  the  same." 

Puffing  and  panting,  Bulstrode  got  upon  his  feet,  and, 
looking  the  very  picture  of  fury,  was  about  to  aim  a 
heavy  blow  at  Dick,  who  stood  up  to  him  unflinchingly, 
when  the  voice  of  the  first  lieutenant  broke  in  upon 
them,  demanding : 

"  Hold  there !  Mr.  Bulstrode,  stand  to  one  side.  Mr, 
Holland  may  I  ask  you  the  meaning  of  this  dis- 
turbance ? " 


\ 


24 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


ii 


Dick  drew  himself  up,  saluted  respectfully,  and  with- 
out speaking,  pointed  to  where  Tenderly  lay  just  aa  he 
had  fallen,  not  having  moved  since  his  sudden  descent  to 
the  deck.  Mr.  McKinstry  at  once  went  over  to  the  boy, 
saying : 

"  H'm ;  I  can  easily  guess  how  this  happened." 

He  found  Tenderly  insensible.  His  head  had  struck 
the  hard  deck  with  cruel  force,  and  the  blood  from  a 
nasty  cut  just  behind  his  right  ear  was  staining  the 
blankets. 

The  lieutenant's  face  grew  very  dark  when  he  saw 
this.  He  had  no  need  to  ask  any  questions.  The  clean- 
cut  rope  told  its  own  tale,  and  he  said  sternly  to  Bul- 
strode,  who  was  doggedly  standing  by : 

"  You  may  go.  You  will  hear  further  about  this  in 
the  morning."  Then  he  turned,  with  a  very  different 
countenance  to  Dick,  and  asked :  "  May  I  put  Tenderly 
into  your  hammock,  Mr.  Holland,  until  we  can  get  his 
own  re-slung  ?  " 

"  Why,  most  certainly,"  responded  Dick.  And  between 
them  they  lifted  the  still  senseless  lad  gently  in,  and  then 
Mr.  McKinstry  went  in  search  of  the  ship's  surgeon,  in 
whose  hands  Tenderly  soon  recovered  his  wits,  and  had 
his  wounds  duly  plastered  up. 

Then  the  lieutenant  bethought  himself  of  Dick,  and 
asked  him  with  some  concern : 

*•  By  the  way,  Holland,  were  you  hurt  at  all  ?  Bul- 
Btrode  had  you  very  much  at  a  disadvantage." 

"Nothing  to  speak   of,"  answered    Dick,    cheerily, 


-Il-l    ••  HMt    «' 


LEARNING  THE   ROPES. 


25 


although  all  the  time  his  flesh  was  quivering  with  pain 
in  more  than  one  place  where  Bulstrode's  long  nails  had 
been  making  play  during  their  short  but  severe  struggle. 

"  You  had  better  turn  in  again  then/'  said  Mr.  McKin- 
stry.  "  I  feel  bound  to  say  that  I  am  very  much  pleased 
with  the  part  you  have  taken  in  this  matter,  and  shall 
have  pleasure  in  duly  reporting  it  to  Captain  Fitewell. 
Good  night." 

"  Good  night,  sir,"  said  Dick,  his  face  radiant  at  these 
kind  words,  and  tumbling  into  Tenderly 's  hammock  he 
went  to  sleep  feeling  that  he  would  put  up  with  twice  as 
many  bruises  for  the  sake  of  the  first  lieutenant's  com- 
mendation. 

The  next  morning  Bulstrode  was  summoned  before 
Captain  Fitewell,  and  a  severe  lecture  administered  to 
him,  besides  orders  to  do  all  sorts  of  disagreeable  duty 
for  the  following  month.  With  that  lack  of  candid 
logic  characteristic  of  such  natures,  he  held  Dick  respon- 
sible for  getting  him  into  this  trouble,  quite  ignoring  his 
own  contemptible  action,  and  hated  him  with  a  perverse 
malignity  that  boded  ill  for  Dick  should  it  ever  be  in  the 
other's  power  to  do  him  serious  injury.  As  for  Tenderly, 
his  attachment  to  Dick  became  a  positive  adoration.  No 
dog  could  love  a  kind  master  more  unreservedly  and  un- 
selfishly than  he  did  his  sturdy  little  protector.  And  the 
day  was  to  come  when  he  would  well  repay  Dick  for  thus 
standing  by  him. 

In  the  meantime  the  good  ship  "  Gryphon  "  was  mak- 
ing satisfactory  progress  toward  her  destination.    A  for- 


\ 


26 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON, 


^■■ 


P 


A 


night  brought  her  to  Madeira,  where  a  short  stay  was 
made  to  lay  in  fresh  fruit  and  water,  and  Dick  had  a 
chance  to  stretch  his  legs  by  trying  how  far  he  could  ascend 
the  magnificent  mountain  at  whose  foot  the  white  town 
bathed  itself  in  glowing  sunshine.  Three  weeks  more 
and  the  frigate  was  bowling  before  the  trade  winds 
straight  toward  Barbadoes,  which  lovely  island  was  duly 
reached  one  fine  evening  and  anchor  cast  in  Carlisle  Bay, 
where  Dick  had  his  first  glimpse  of  the  New  World. 

What  a  wonderful  world  it  was  to  the  bright,  observant 
boy,  and  what  inexhaustible  delight  he  took  in  the  strik- 
ing scenes  around  him!  His  father  had  lived  long 
enough  to  take  him  upon  his  knee,  and  "  spin  many  a 
yarn  "  concerning  his  adventures  and  experiences  among 
these  "summer  isles  of  Eden  lying  in  dark  purple 
spheres  of  sea,"  and  Dick's  imagination  being  very 
active,  and  his  memory  retentive,  it  seemed  to  him,  as  he 
recognized  one  picture  after  another,  as  though  he  must 
be  revisiting  places  once  familiar.  The  crystal-clear 
water,  as  blue  as  the  heavens  above,  and  breaking  in 
frothy  billows  upon  cream-colored  sand ;  the  bewildering 
masses  of  foliage  that  clothed  the  hills  at  whose  base  the 
houses  stretched  in  irregular  lines  of  white,  or  straggled 
up  the  slopes  until  they  lost  themselves  in  the  mazes  of 
verdure ;  the  crowds  of  picturesquely  dressed  people,  of 
all  grades  of  color,  from  the  coal  black  of  the  African 
negro,  to  the  pale  ivory  of  the  lately  arrived  European, 
who  seemed  to  have  nothing  to  do  but  smoke  and  lounge 
about  with  curious  eyes  and  chattering  tongues,  these  and 


LEABNIXG  THE   ROPES. 


27 


a  thousand  other  sights  equally  novel  kept  him  in  the 
liveliest  state  of  joyous  excitement. 

He  was  wild  with  eagerness  to  get  on  shore,  but  being 
the  junior  middy  on  board  he  would  have  had  to  wait 
some  time  for  his  turn,  had  not  Lieutenant  McKinstry, 
who  was  about  to  go  ashore  with  some  dispatches,  catch- 
ing sight  of  him  as  he  stood  near  the  gangway,  asked : 

"  Would  you  like  to  accompany  me,  Holland  ?  If  so, 
I'll  just  wait  a  moment  while  you  get  into  your  shore- 
going  togs." 

With  an  explosive  "thank  you,  sir,"  Dick  darted 
below,  and  in  a  trice  reappeared,  looking  remarkably 
well  in  his  white  duck  trousers,  trim  blue  jacket  with 
double  row  of  gilt  buttons,  and  natty  gold  banded  cap, 
his  dirk  hanging  at  his  side.  The  lieutenant  gave  him 
an  approving  glance.  He  had  a  warm  appreciation  of 
promptitude  and  neatness,  those  precious  qualities  boys 
are  so  apt  to  lack. 

They  stepped  into  the  stern  sheets  of  the  cutter,  the 
sailors  bent  to  their  oars,  and  their  oars  bent  in  their 
sinewy  hands,  making  the  boat  foam  through  the  spark- 
ling water  at  a  rate  that  soon  brought  them  to  the 
landing,  and  into  the  midst  of  a  crowd  of  people  who  as- 
sailed their  ears  with  all  sorts  of  questions  and  exclama- 
tions. It  was  an  old  story  to  the  lieutenant,  and  he 
pushed  his  way  indifferently  through  the  throng,  Dick 
following  in  his  wake  with  eyes  stretched  to  their  utmost 
capacity,  and  so  they  came  to  the  admiral's  quarters, 
where    the  dispatches    were    duly  delivered.      As  the 


28 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  OUYPHON. 


It  i 


\'. 


answers  would  not  be  ready  for  some  little  time,  Mr. 
McKinstry  said  to  Dick  :  ^ 

"  You  can  run  about  for  a  couple  of  hours,  Holland, 
and  see  the  town.  But  mind,  be  back  at  the  landing  by 
noon." 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  sir ;  I  will,  sir,"  exclaimed  Dick,  de- 
lighted at  being  given  his  liberty,  and  toucliing  his  cap, 
he  set  off  to  do  the  sights.  There  was  no  fear  of  his  getting 
lost,  the  harbor  being  always  in  sight,  and  the  "  Gryphon  " 
riding  at  anchor  amid  a  cloud  of  smaller  ships,  so  he  felt 
entirely  at  his  ease  as  he  leisurely  strolled  through  the 
streets.  The  Negroes  interested  him  immensely.  They 
all  seemed  so  good-humored  and  jolly,  as  though  they  had 
not  a  care  or  creditor  in  the  world.  He  smiled  upon  them 
right  and  left,  and  happening  to  have  some  small  coins  in 
his  pocket,  whenever  he  came  across  a  particularly  merry 
little  darkey,  he  would  drop  one  into  his  hand,  much  to 
the  youngster's  delight,  receiving  in  reply  a  beaming  grin, 
and — "  Buccra  gentleman  good — very  good." 

Not  knowing  or  caring  where  he  went,  he  gradually 
strayed  from  the  better  part  of  the  town  into  a  quarter 
much  affected  by  sailor's  lodging-house  keepers,  crimps, 
smugglers,  and  other  such  ill-favored  gentry.  When  he 
realized  this  he  quickened  his  steps  in  order  to  get  away 
from  so  undesirable  a  locality.  As  he  was  hurrying 
along,  the  door  of  one  of  th3  many  drinking  places  sud- 
denly flung  open,  and  a  big  Negro  lurched  out  into  the 
street,  coming  into  collision  with  Dick  before  the  latter 
had  time  to  avoid  him.     The  shock  almost  threw  the  boy 


,..  <  ».«»>  V  - 


LEARNING  THE   ROPES. 


29 


down,  and  drew  upon  him  the  attention  of  the  Negro, 
whose  anger  seemed  to  be  instantly  aroused  by  the  sight 
of  the  uniform. 

He  was  a  hideous-looking  fellow,  broad  of  shoulder  and 
deep  of  chest,  but  puny  and  misshapen  from  the  waist 
downward,  the  shrunken  shanks  being  absurdly  out  of  pro- 
portion to  the  huge  trunk ;  close  tufts  of  black  wool  did 
duty  for  moustache  and  beard,  and  his  hair — if  hair  it 
could  be  called — was  twisted  into  a  hundred  short  plaits 
that  bristled  out  like  thick  porcupine  quills.  The  livid 
scar  of  a  terrible  sabre  cut  adorned  his  nose  and  cheek, 
and  two  big  gold  rings  his  ears.  A  dirty  linen  shirt,  a 
short  pair  of  cotton  drawers,  and  a  huge  Panama  hat 
constituted  his  dress. 

A  more  repulsive  specimen  of  humanity  Dick  had  never 
seen,  and  he  recoiled  from  him  in  disgust.  This  seemed 
to  still  further  incense  the  Negro,  and  with  a  horrid  oath 
he  aimed  a  blow  at  the  boy's  head  that  would  have 
knocked  the  senses  out  of  him  had  it  reached  its  mark ; 
but  Dick  was  too  quick  for  him,  and  deftly  dodged  it,  at 
the  same  time  drawing  his  dirk,  and  assuming  an  attitude 
of  defense,  for  he  could  not  bring  himself  to  fly  even 
before  so  over-matching  an  opponent.  He  would  rather 
play  David  to  his  Goliath,  and  take  his  chances. 

A  crowd  had  gathered  at  once,  forming  a  sort  of  ring 
about  the  two,  around  which  they  gyrated  for  a  moment, 
the  Negro  happily  being  too  drunk  to  turn  quickly,  ajid 
Dick  finding  it  easy  to  dodge  him.  Now  Dick  had  been 
one  of  the  best  players  in  his  school  at  the  good  old  Eng- 


.30 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


lisli  game  of  football,  and  was  an  adept  at  "  hacking." 
The  manifest  weakness  of  the  negro's  lower  limbs  suggested 
to  him  the  i«lea  of  giving  the  brute  a  "hack  over"  that 
would  teach  him  a  lesson.  Sheathing  his  dirk  he  drew 
himself  together  and  watched  for  his  opportunity.  It 
came  very  soon.  Straightening  himself  up  after  an  un- 
successful charge,  the  ruffian  again  bore  down  upon  the 
midshipman.  Instead  of  fleeing,  Dick  darted  forward  to 
meet  him,  and  before  the  Negro  could  divine  his  purpose 
administered  a  kick  with  all  his  force  upon  the  bare  black 
shin,  a  few  inches  above  the  ankle. 

It  was  tt  grand  success.  With  a  roar  like  that  of  a 
wounded  lion,  the  big  brute  pitched  forward  upon  his 
nose,  striking  the  stony  street  with  a  force  that  even  his 
thick  skull  could  not  withstand  unhurt,  amid  exclama- 
tions of — 

"  Hurrah  for  buccra  gentleman  ?  "  "  Him  mighty  good 
little  man  I  "  "  Coromantee  crack  him  skull  sure — serve 
him  right  too,"  and  so  forth,  from  the  admiring  and  ap- 
proving crowd. 

The  next  moment  Dick  felt  himself  picked  up  and 
placed  upon  the  shoulders  of  a  stalwart  mulatto. 

"  Hullo,  my  good  fellow  1 "  he  cried,  considerably  sur- 
prised at  this  proceeding.  "Where  away  now?  What 
port  are  you  making  for?  " 

"  All  right,  massa,"  was  the  reassuring  response.  "  Me 
take  you  all  safe  to  landing,  just  same  as  horse ;  you  stay 
stUl." 

''Nothing  loth.  Master  Dick  did  stay  still,  and  thus 


LEARNING   THE    ROPES. 


31 


and 


perched  upou  his  new  friend's  broad  shoulder,  and  es- 
corted by  the  crowd  tliat  witnessed  his  overthrow  of  the 
Negro,  he  arrived  at  the  landing  just  as  Lieutenant 
McKiustry  came  down  in  earnest  conversation  with 
another  naval  otHcer.  The  noise  of  the  crowd  attracted 
his  attention,  and  catching  sight  of  Dick  in  his  elevated 
position,  a  smile  broke  over  his  face,  and  he  hailed  him 
with  a  pleasant : 

"  Hullo,  Holland !  This  looks  like  a  triumphal  pro- 
cession.   What  have  you  been  up  to  now  ?  " 

Dick  touched  his  cap,  slid  down  from  his  human  steed, 
and  approaching  the  lieutenant,  made  a  brief  and  modest 
report  of  the  circumstances,  whereupon  Mr.  McKiustry 
clapped  him  on  the  back,  saying  heartily : 

"  Well  done,  Dick !  You  sustained  the  credit  of  the 
service  nobly.  Come,  now,  let  us  hurry  on  board ;  I  have 
important  news  for  Captain  Fitewell. 

As  they  were  rowing  back  to  the  ship,  the  lieutenant, 
his  face  radisint  at  the  prospect  of  active  service,  told 
Dick  what  the  important  news  was : 

"Boney  [Bonaparte]  has  broken  out  again,"  he  ex- 
plained. "  The  truce  of  Amiens  is  over,  and  we  can  go 
at  Johnny  Crapaud  to  our  heart's  content.  There'll  be 
lots  of  fighting,  Dick,  and  that  means  quick  promotion, 
you  know,  for  the  chaps  that  keep  the  number  of  their 


mess. 


>» 


Dick  felt  a  strange  sense  of  mingled  elation  and 
trepidation  at  these  words.  He  had  a  warrior's  heart,  and 
the  idea  of  fighting  with  his  country's  hereditary  enemies, 


'•  I 


32 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


the  French,  pleased  him  mightily.  At  the  same  time  the 
thought  naturally  came  to  him : 

"Shall  I  be  one  of  those  who'll  keep  the  number  of 
their  mess,  or  how  will  it  be  ?  " 

The  future  was  full  of  opportunity,  and  also  of  peril. 
God  alone  knew  what  it  had  in  store  for  him. 

Brought  up,  as  he  had  been,  to  believe  implicitly  in  a 
Divine  Providence  ever  careful  of  those  who  put  their  faith 
in  him,  Dick  held  views  of  the  future  different  from  those 
of  any  of  his  companions.  They  put  their  trust  in  what 
they  called  "  luck,"  and  were  willing  to  take  their  chances. 
He  placed  his  trust  in  God,  to  whom  he  daily  prayed, 
and  thought  nothing  of  luck  or  chance. 


CHAPTER  IIL 


THE  BAPTISM  OP  FIRE. 


IN  order  to  get  the  bearings  of  this  story  correctly,  it 
will  be  necessary,  for  a  moment,  to  take  a  leap  from 
the  New  World  to  tlie  Old.  That  marvellous  man, — 
demi-god  or  devil,  according  to  your  point  of  view, — the 
first  Napoleon,  had  been  keeping  not  only  Europe,  but 
Asia,  Africa,  and  America  alike  in  constant  turmoil. 
The  splendid  victories  of  the  English  at  Alexandria  and 
Copenhagen  having  taught  him  that  his  pace  was  rather 
too  fast  at  last,  and  that  he  must  have  a  little  breathing 
space  to  restore  the  navy  which  Nelson  had  shattered  and 
replenish  his  other  resources,  the  Treaty  of  Amiens  was 
entered  into  in  the  year  1802  between  England,  France, 
Spain,  and  Holland ;  and  the  same  year  saw  Bonaparte 
declared  Consul  for  life  with  the  emperor's  crown  coming 
clearly  into  view. 

This  treaty  was  understood  by  all  parties  to  be  the 
hollowest  kind  of  a  truce — merely  the  interval  between 
the  rounds  in  a  fight  that  was  far  from  finished,  and 
accordingly  nobody  was  surprised  when  a  year  and  a 
half  later  the  sword  once  more  sprang  from  its  scabbard, 
and  the  struggle  began  which  this  time  was  to  know  no 
treaty  nor  truce   until  the  cause   of  all  the    trouble, 

C  88 


34 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I      ! 


1^ 

i'      I 


defeated  and  discrowned,  went  to  banishment  and  death 
upon  the  rock  of  St.  Helena. 

The  West  India  Islands,  that  necklace  of  precious 
pearls  strung  across  the  ocean  from  Florida  to  Venezuela, 
were  very  dear  to  Napoleon.  He  considered  them  to  be 
among  his  choicest  possessions.  But  the  English  held  a 
similar  opinion,  and  as  they  could  not  agree  upon  any 
satisfactory  division  of  the  jewels  there  was  no  other 
alternative  than  to  fight  for  them.  The  orders  Captain 
FitcwcU  received  at  Barbadoes  accordingly  were  to  get 
ready  without  delay  for  active  service,  it  having  been 
determined  that  the  first  blow  should  be  struck  at  the 
neighboring  island  of  St.  Lucia. 

The  following  week  was  one  of  intense  activity  on 
board  the  "  Gryphon."  The  frigate  had  to  be  put  into 
fighting  trim,  and  this  meant  plenty  of  work  for  every- 
body. Dick  watched  the  preparations  with  intense 
interest,  and  was  ever  ready  to  fly  about  with  orders,  so 
that  he  seemed  to  have  quite  as  much  business  on  hand 
as  the  first  lieutenant  himself.  Every  inch  of  the  rigging 
was  carefully  inspected  and  all  weak  spots  replaced  or 
strengthened ;  the  guns  with  their  powder  and  shot  were 
made  ready  for  immediate  use;  the  decks  and  cabins 
were  cleared  of  everything  that  could  be  spared;  the 
cock-pit  was  fitted  up  for  hospital  use;  cutlasses  and 
boarding-pikes  were  made  keen  as  razors,  and  nothing 
was  left  undone  by  Captain  Fitewell  to  get  his  good  ship 
ready  for  serious  work. 

It  was  a  beautiful  day  in  June  when  the  expedition 


►     t 


THE   BAPTISM   OP   FIRE. 


1  death 

precious 
nezuela, 
jm  to  be 
h  held  a 
pon  any 
10  other 
Captain 
•e  to  get 
ing  been 
k  at  the 


Bailed.  Its  fleet  comprised  three  ships-of-the-line,  and 
three  frigates  of  the  same  type  as  the  "  Gryphon,"  be- 
sides some  smaller  crafl.  In  addition  to  their  full  crews, 
each  vessel  carried  a  large  number  of  soldiers.  One 
day's  easy  sail  brought  them  to  their  destination.  Much 
to  the  disappointment  of  the  naval  part  of  the  expedition 
no  ships  were  found  to  oppose  them,  and  the  soldiers  hav- 
ing easily  disembarked  at  Choque  Bay  the  sailors  were 
reduced  to  the  position  of  passive  spectators. 

Dick  was  greatly  disappointed  at  this.  He  wanted  to 
get  his  first  smell  of  powder  with  as  little  delay  aa  possi- 
ble. He  therefore  determined  to  try  to  obtain  permission 
to  accompany  the  land  forces  in  their  attack.  Naturally 
he  made  known  his  mind  to  his  friend  the  lieutenant  first. 
When  Mr.  McKinstry  heard  his  request  he  burst  out 
laughing,  and  taking  him  by  the  shoulders  turned  him 
around  as  thoug'a  he  wanted  to  inspect  him  thoroughly. 

"Bless  me,  you  young  fire-eater,  are  you  in  such  a 
hurry  to  get  your  first  taste  of  blood  aa  that  ?  Can't  you 
wait  until  the  'Gryphon's'  turn  comes?  It  won't  be 
long,  I  can  tell  you." 

Dick  blushed,  and  looked  as  though  he  rather  regretted 
speaking.  He  did  not  want  to  be  thought  in  a  hurry  to 
"  taste  blood."  Noticing  his  confusion,  Mr.  McKinstry, 
still  smiling,  asked : 

"And  what  do  you  propose  to  do.  Master  Holland? 
Join  General  Grinfield's  staff  and  give  him  an  occasional 
bit  of  advice?" 

«  Hardly  that,  sir,"  answered  Dick, "  but  as  there  won't 


« 


I 


I  M. 


i 


i  t 


36 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


be  any  work  for  our  ships,  and  we've  got  to  lie  here  until 
the  soldiers  come  back,  I  thought  perhaps  I  might  be 
allowed  to  accompany  them  and  have  a  look  at  the  fight- 
ing." 

"  Not  a  bad  idea,  my  boy.  I  had  the  very  same  thing 
in  mind  myself.  I'll  speak  to  the  captain  about  it.  Per- 
haps he'll  let  you  go  with  me." 

Dick's  face  beamed  with  delight.  To  go  under  the 
lieutenant's  wing — what  better  could  he  wish  ? 

"  I'd  mighty  sight  rather  be  on  Mr.  McKinstry's 
staff  than  General  Grinfield's,"  he  chuckled  to  him- 
self. 

An  hour  later,  Mr.  McKinstry  sent  for  him  and  told 
him  that  the  necessary  leave  had  been  granted,  and  to 
hurry  up  and  make  ready  to  go  on  shore.  It  need  hardly 
bo  said  that  Master  Dick  wasted  no  time  over  toilet. 
Yet  a  neater-looking  middy  never  trod  the  quarter-deck 
than  he  as  he  stood  at  the  gangway  awaiting  the  coming 
of  the  first  lieutenant.  He  was  dressed  in  full  uniform 
and  armed  with  a  dirk,  a  cutlass,  and  a  pistol,  which 
equipment  to  tell  the  truth,  he  found  rather  heavy  at  his 
waist,  although  he  would  have  died  rather  than  confess 
it.  Bulstrode,  lounging  by  with  a  very  glum  expression 
of  countenance,  for  he  had  applied  to  go  on  shore  but 
nad  been  refused,  gave  Dick  a  glance  of  mingled  jealousy 
and  hate,  muttering  so  that  he  could  hear  it : 

"  Who  wouldn't  be  the  lieutenant's  poodle?  Keep  to 
heel  now,  doggie,  and  don't  get  lost." 

But  Dick  was  in  too  radiant  a  humor  to  mind  even  so 


THE   BAPTISM   OF  FIRE. 


37 


e  until 
ght  l)e 
e  fight- 

e  thing 
.    Per- 

der  the 

linstry's 
to  him- 

ind  told 
,  and  to 
^  hardly 
sr  toilet, 
ter-deck 
coming 
uniform 
»1,  which 
at  his 
confess 
ipression 
ore  but 
Ijealousy 

I  Keep  to 

even  so 


coarse  a  taunt,  and  tui'ning  to  Tenderly,  who  also  stood 
near,  said  gayly,  with  a  meaning  glance  at  Bulstrode : 

"  I'd  rather  be  a  poodle  than  a  bulldog,  wouldn't  you, 
Arthur?" 

Bulstrode  heard  the  words  and  his  face  grew  still 
darker,  but  before  he  could  say  anything  further  he  was 
called  to  another  part  of  the  ship,  and  a  few  minutes 
later,  Dick  was  in  the  cutter  beside  the  lieutenant,  gliding 
swiftly  shoreward. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  they  landed,  but 
they  were  in  time  to  see  from  a  distance  the  first  brush 
with  the  enemy.  This  took  place  before  the  town  of 
Castries,  and  was  of  short  duration  ;  the  French  outposts 
soon  gave  way  and,  the  Governor-General  Nogues  retiring 
with  his  whole  force  to  the  strong  post  of  Morne  Fortune, 
left  Castries  in  the  hands  of  the  invaders. 

A  summons  to  surrender  was  sent  him,  which  he  politely 
refiised,  his  calculation  being  that  he  could  stand  a  siege 
until  the  rains  came  on,  and  then  the  English  would  have 
to  retreat,  as  nothing  could  be  done  during  the  rains. 
General  Grinfield  understood  this,  and  notwithstanding 
the  difficulty  of  the  enterprise,  resolved  to  attempt  an 
immediate  assault.  Orders  were  accordingly  issued  that 
Morne  Fortune  should  be  stormed  at  daybreak. 

When  Dick  heard  the  orders,  he  fairly  danced  for  joy. 
The  storming  of  a  strong  fortress  was  an  ideal  kind  of 
fight,  and  it  would  give  everybody  a  chance.  So  soon  i\s 
it  was  determined  upon,  the  aid  of  the  sailors  was  called 
in,  and  all  that  night  they  were  busy  making  rope  ladders 


'V 


It     ;  ■ 

hi 


38 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


and  preparing  grappling  lines,  while  the  best  men  on 
board  each  ship  were  picked  out  to  join  the  soldiers  in 
their  difficult  venture. 

At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Dick  was  roused  from 
a  sound  sleep  by  the  lieutenant,  and  the  dawn  of  a  West 
Indian  midsummer  day  was  breaking  in  all  its  meffable 
beauty  as  the  two  friends  made  their  way  to  the  front. 
In  perfect  silence  the  united  forces  encircled  the  fortress, 
and  then  suddenly  hurled  upon  it  a  storm  of  lead  and 
iron  that  swept  its  walls  clear,  and  compelled  its  defenders 
to  seek  shelter  behind  the  embrasures,  from  which  ihey 
replied  with  a  persistent  though  almost  harmless  fire. 

So  soon  as  the  walls  were  cleared,  the  order  was  given 
to  fix  bayonets  and  charge  upon  the  fort.  With  a  true 
British  cheer  that  was  heard  out  at  the  fleet,  and  made 
the  poor  people  in  Castries  tremble,  the  soldiers,  headed 
by  gangs  of  Jack  tars  bearing  scaling  ladders,  rushed  to 
the  attack  in  admirable  order. 

"Now,  then,  Dick,"  cried  Lieutenant  McKinstry, 
"  come  along ;  keep  close  by  me,  and  we  won't  miss  any 
of  the  fun." 

"All  right,  sir,"  chirruped  Dick.  "I'll  keep  along- 
side, if  I  can." 

Like  a  human  avalanche  the  British  forces  fell  upon 
Morne  Fortune.  With  wonderful  skill  and  speed  the 
scaling  ladders  were  fixed  at  a  score  of  points  simultane* 
ously.  With  admirable  courage  the  garrison  sought  to 
repel  their  assailants.  But  as  fast  as  one  ladder  was 
thrown  down,  another  took  its  place,  and  every  man  they 


THE    BAPTISM   OF   FIJRE, 


89 


disposed  of  was  replaced  by  two  no  less  in  earnest  about 
getting  inside  the  citadeL 

The  lieutenant  and  Dick  were  among  the  first  to  efiTect 
a  foothold  upon  the  walls,  happily  without  receiving  a 
scratch,  and  drawing  their  cutlasses,  they  plunged  into 
the  thickest  of  the  fight.  It  was  familiar  enough  work 
to  the  man,  for  storming  a  fortress  and  boarding  a  ship 
are  very  much  alike,  but  entirely  new  fco  the  boy,  and  yet 
he  went  at  it  as  though  he  had  long  served  his  appren- 
ticeship. 

"Well  done,  Dick!  Well  done,  my  boy!"  shouted 
Mr.  McKinstry,  as  with  a  clever  blow  Dick  knocked  the 
pistol  out  of  the  hand  of  a  French  officer  who  was  aiming 
at  the  lieutenant.  The  very  next  moment,  the  lieutenant 
returned  the  service  by  cutting  down  a  soldier  who  pro- 
posed to  spit  Dick  on  his  bayonet. 

"  Turn  about's  fair  play,  Dick,  eh,  my  lad,"  he  cried. 
"Come  along;  keep  close;  they're  giving  way.  We'll 
soon  clear  the  rascals  out." 

The  lieutenant  was  right.  The  garrison  had  made  a 
gallant  stand.  But  there  was  no  resisting  the  British 
bayonet  One  by  one  the  defenses  were  driven  in,  and 
at  the  end  of  half  an  hour  Morne  Fortune  was  taken, 
with  the  loss  of  hardly  a  hundred  men. 

Exhausted  by  his  exertions,  Dick  threw  himself  down 
in  a  casemate  to  get  breath.  It  was  the  first  moment  for 
thought  he  had  had  since  the  attack  began,  and  he  felt 
like  one  awaking  out  of  a  dream.  He  looked  round 
about  him  at  the  tokens  of  the  dreadful  conflict.    Here 


i 


I 


40 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


,.l' 


I 


[V.\ 


11'' 


a  man  was  lying,  his  life  blood  fast  ebbing  out  from  a 
terrible  gash  in  the  neck ;  there  was  another,  already 
growing  cold  in  death.  Swords,  bayonets,  muskets,  and 
pistols  strewed  the  place.  The  air  was  foul  with  the  reek 
of  powder  and  the  sickening  smell  of  blood,  while  the 
sun,  now  high  in  the  heavens,  poured  a  flood  of  scorching 
heat  upon  the  pitiful  scene. 

The  reaction  that  naturally  follows  strong  emotion  did 
not  escape  Dick.  A  wave  of  intense  repugnance  and  a 
wild  desire  to  flee  from  so  dreadful  a  place  came  over 
him.  He  repented  of  ever  having  put  himself  in  the  way 
of  such  an  experience.  He  covered  his  face  with  his 
hands,  and  his  feelings  were  near  unmanning  him,  when 
Lieutenant  McKinstry  came  up,  and  observing  his  atti- 
tude, exclaimed  in  much  concern : 

"  Hullo,  Dick !    What's  the  matter  ?    Are  you  hurt  ?  " 

Dick  lifted  his  burning  face  and  looked  at  the  lieuten- 
ant through  misty  eyes.  Then,  with  a  great  effort,  he 
regained  control  of  himself,  and  springing  to  his  feet, 
replied,  steadily  enough : 

"  No,  sir,  not  a  bit,  thank  God.  But  it's  that,"  pointing 
expressively  to  the  harrowing  sight  before  him.  "I'm 
not  used  to  it  yet,  sir." 

The  lieutenant  did  not  laugh  at  him.  He  remembered 
well  how  his  first  fight  affected  him,  and  shrewdly  guess- 
ing the  best  way  of  diverting  the  boy  who  had  just 
received  his  baptism  of  fire,  he  said,  sympathetically : 

"  I  understand  you,  Dick,  and  you  needn't  feel  ashamed 
of  it.    But  look  here,  since  you  and  I  are  sound,  don't 


THE   BAPTISM   OF   FIRE. 


41 


ibered 
guess- 
d  just 

amed 
don't 


jou  think  we  could  do  something  for  tlie  poor  beggars 
who  haven't  been  so  lucky  ? " 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir,"  cried  Dick,  forgetting  all  his  own  troubles 
in  the  thought  of  rendering  assistance  to  others.  "  What 
can  we  do,  sir  ?  " 

"  Well,  if  we  can  only  find  where  the  frog-eaters  keep 
their  water,  we  can  give  the  poor  fellows  a  drink,  any- 
way." 

After  some  searching  around  they  discovered  a  cistern 
of  water,  and  filling  a  couple  of  jars  they  went  about 
among  the  wounded,  assuaging  their  thirst,  bathing  their 
wounds,  and  binding  on  cool  bandages,  receiving  in  re- 
turn many  a  grateful  "  God  bless  you  I  That's  better, 
sir."  In  his  sympathy  for  the  sufferers  and  eagerness  to 
help  them,  Dick  entirely  forgot  his  feeling  of  nausea  at 
the  sickening  sights  before  him.  The  worse  the  wound, 
the  stronger  his  desire  to  alleviate  the  agony  of  the 
patient,  and  the  ships'  surgeons  paid  him  more  than  one 
compliment  for  his  prompt,  intelligent  assistance. 

Within  an  hour  after  the  surrender,  the  British  had 
all  their  wounded  carefully  removed  to  the  ships,  while 
the  unfortunate  dead  were  buried  during  the  afternoon 
with  appropriate  ceremonies.  Although  not  a  blow  had 
been  struck  by  them  after  the  French  surrendered,  their 
loss  was  much  heavier  thaa  that  of  the  English,  and  over 
six  hundred  prisoners  were  taken  in  addition. 

The  capture  of  Morne  Fortune  decided  the  fate  of  the 
island,  all  the  other  ports  being  given  up  without  a  strug- 
gle.     From  St.  Lucia  the   British  fleet   proceeded   to 


-r-v 


I 


A2 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


Tobago  where  the  governor,  haviug  a  feeble  garrison  of 
only  a  couple  of  hundred  sailors,  wisely  surrendered  with- 
out making  any  attempt  at  resistance.  Deraerara, 
Essequibo,  and  Berbice,  followed  in  rapid  succession. 
Indeed  they  were  only  too  glad  to  come  once  more  under 
British  control,  as  the  colonists  were  more  in  sympathy 
with  John  Bull  than  with  Johnny  Crapaud. 

The  "Gryphon"  continued  to  form  part  of  the  con- 
quering fleet,  and  Dick  was  in  a  chronic  state  of  admira- 
tion and  delight.  The  smooth  sailing  over  those  azure 
summer  seas;  the  stately  advances  upon  island  after 
island  glittering  like  emeralds  in  a  setting  of  lapis  lazuli 
and  turquoise ;  thii  delightful  uncertainity  as  to  whether 
the  colony  would  fight  or  surrender ;  the  sweet  satisfaction 
at  another  surrender  which  went  far  to  compensate  for 
the  missing  of  the  excitement  of  another  fight ;  and  then 
besides  all  this,  the  fun  there  was  to  be  had  in  exploring 
the  captured  territory,  the  interesting  things  there  were 
to  be  seen,  delicious  fruits  there  were  to  be  tasted — verily, 
it  was  the  j oiliest  kind  of  a  holiday.  Everybody,  from 
the  admiral  down,  was  in  the  best  of  good  humor,  and  as 
much  liberty  was  allowed  as  was  consistent  with  a  due 
maintenance  of  discipline. 

In  the  very  midst  of  this  triumphal  progress,  orders 
came  to  the  "Gryphon"  from  the  admiral  that  made 
everybody  on  board  look  glum.  It  was  to  the  effect  that 
he  wished  to  send  certain  important  dispatches  to 
Antigua,  and  the  frigate  being  the  best  sailer  in  the  fleet, 
he  had  selected  her  for  the  purpose. 


THE   BAPTISM  OF  FIRE. 


43 


ders 
nade 
that 
I  to 
eet, 


Accordingly,  that  afternoon  she  turned  her  bow  north- 
ward and  bowled  merrily  along  before  a  favoring  breeze, 
Captain  Fitewell  and  his  merry  men  grumbling  vigor- 
ously at  having  to  leave  so  pleasant  a  picnic  simply  to 
carry  dispatches.  They  had  no  idea  what  a  lively  time 
was  just  ahead  of  them,  and  what  an  important  service 
they  were  shortly  to  render. 

The  month  of  September  had  come,  and  with  it  some 
slight  mitigation  of  the  intense  heat,  which  Dick  had 
found  the  only  cloud  upon  his  enjoyment  of  t^  ^  island 
paradise.  It  was  his  custom  to  spend  much  of  his  time 
while  off  duty  up  in  the  main-top  with  Tenderly  as  his 
companion,  and  to  sweep  the  seas  witb  a  fine  spy-glass 
given  him  by  an  uncle  previous  to  his  leaving  England. 
There  was  plenty  of  breeze  up  there,  and  a  grand  view 
of  the  watery  world  around.  One  morning,  while  thus 
engaged,  his  keen  eyes  made  out  something  far  away  on 
the  weather  bow  that  caused  him  to  shout  down  to  the 
deck  at  the  top  of  his  voice : 

"  Sail  ho  I  on  the  weather  bow  I " 

Captain  Fitewell  happened  to  havo  just  come  up  on 
the  quarter-deck,  and  hearing  Dick's  hail,  called  eagerly 
back  to  him : 

"  Can  you  make  her  out  ?     What  is  she  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  answered  Dick.  "  A  schooner,  sir."  Then 
as  the  speedy  frigate  continued  onward,  he  called  out 
again : 

"One — two — three!  Why,  there's  a  whole  fleet  of 
them,  sir,  making  right  across  our  bows." 


.  .t^j^ 


I;  -'  ;■->" 


.■SWf 


Iff^ 


44 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


li 


I     i 


i^li 


■! 


'it 


Instantly  all  was  excitement  and  bustle  on  board  the 
"  Gryphon."  Dick's  announcement  was  most  welcome,  a 
lively  chase  being  just  the  thing  everybody  hankered  for. 
A  cloud  of  canvas  quickly  spread  along  the  yards ;  the 
decks  were  cleared  for  action,  the  guns  shotted,  and  boats 
made  ready  for  boarding;  while  the  good  ship  fairly 
snored  through  the  whitecaps  in  her  eagerness  to  overtake 
the  schooners,  Dick  palpitating  with  joy  in  the  main-top 
at  the  prospect  of  a  brush  with  the  enemy. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  the  approach  of  the  frigate 
had  been  perceived  and  had  created  alarm  among  the 
schooners.  They  cracked  on  every  stitch  of  canvas,  and 
edging  around  to  the  eastward,  did  their  best  to  show 
their  pursuers  a  clean  pair  of  heels.  This  manoeuvre 
cost  them  some  loss  of  their  lead,  and  the  superior  sailing 
qualities  of  the  big  square-rig  vessel  steadily  reduced  it 
still  more.  Meantime,  Dick  was  making  them  out  one 
by  one  until  he  had  reported  no  less  than  a  baker's  dozen 
to  the  quarter-deck. 

"  They've  made  out  thirteen  of  them,"  said  Captain 
Fitewell  to  the  first  lieutenant  in  a  puzzled  tone.  "  I  am 
at  a  loss  to  understand  what  such  a  fleet  of  schoonera  to- 
gether can  mean.  They  can't  be  privateers,  for  birds  of 
that  feather  don't  usually  flock  together  in  that  way,  and 
it's  equally  certain  they're  not  merchantmen." 

"  Whatever  they  are,  sir,  they'll  soon  have  a  chance  of 
explaining,"  answered  the  lieutenant,  "for  we're  over- 
hauling them  fast,  you  see." 

They  were  indeed  overhauling  tliem  fast.    K  the  wind 


THE   BAPTISM   OF    FIRE. 


45 


only  held  for  another  half-hour  they  would  be  right  in 
the  midst  of  the  covey.  Much  to  their  satisfaction  the 
wind  did  hold,  bringing  the  frigate  down  upon  the 
schooners  in  fine  style. 

"  Now  for  some  fun,"  cried  Dick,  as  the  crew  beat  to 
quarters,  and  the  "  Gryphon  "  ran  between  the  two  near- 
most  schooners. 

Captain  Fitewell  hailed  one,  and  Lieutenant  McKins- 
try  the  other,  but  no  response  came  from  either,  their 
crews  crowding  down  behind  the  low  bulwarks  as  though 
they  expected  a  storm  of  shot  to  burst  upon  them. 

"  Heave  to  instantly,  or  I'll  sink  you,"  roared  the  cap- 
tain, incensed  at  receiving  no  reply. 

Still  no  answer  came,  and  the  order  rang  out  to  give 
them  each  a  broadside.  The  roar  of  twelve  twenty-four 
pound  guns  stunned  the  air,  followed  close  by  the  crash 
of  splintering  wood  and  the  cries  of  wounded  men.  The 
schooners,  damaged  beyond  all  chance  of  escape,  fell 
away  from  the  wind  and  lay  to  in  the  trough  of  the  sea, 
all  their  trim  beauty  vanished  in  a  moment. 

"  About  ship,  and  send  boats  on  board,"  shouted  Cap- 
tain Fitewell. 

The  order  was  obeyed  with  wonderful  celerity,  and  no 
sooner  were  the  boats  safely  lowered  than  the  frigate  stood 
on  her  course  again  in  pursuit  of  the  ether  schooners. 

Dick  was  in  the  bow  of  one  of  the  borts,  and  was  the 
first  to  set  foot  on  the  schooner's  deck ;  but  no  attempt 
was  made  to  repel  the  boarders,  and  he  did  not  regret  find 
ing  that  his  tongue  was  the  only  weapon  he  needed  to  use. 


^' 


V 


f' 


46 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


% 


The  secret  of  the  fleet  of  schooners  soon  revealed  itself. 
They  had  been  sent  out  by  the  governor  of  Guadeloupe 
for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  dock-yard  at  English 
Harbor,  Antigua,  and  tis  this  important  station  was  then 
insufliciently  garrisoned,  the  Frenchman's  clever  scheme 
would  no  doul*;  have  been  crowned  with  brilliant  success 
but  for  the  timely  appearance  of  the  "  Gryphon,"  whereby 
three  of  the  schooners  were  captured,  and  the  rest  sent 
flying  back  in  dismay  to  Guadeloupe. 

Dick  was  warmly  complimented  by  Captain  Fitewell 
for  having  been  the  first  to  report  the  schooners,  and 
Lieutenant  McKinstry's  interest  in  him  deepened  a*»  he 
found  him  giving  increasing  promise  of  proving  an 
ornament  to  the  British  navy. 


V 


;i|i 


CHAPTER  IV. 


A   PLEASANT   EXPERIENCE. 

THE  Antigua  dispatches  having  been  duly  delivered, 
the  frigate  then  sailed  for  Kingston,  Jamaica,  there 
to  await  further  orders,  which,  in  view  of  the  activity 
shown  by  the  French,  were  sure  to  be  not  long  in  coming. 

The  island  was  at  this  time  enjoying  the  very  height  of 
a  prosperity  that  unhappily  has  long  since  departed  from 
it,  and  the  harbor  of  Kingston,  where  the  whole  navy  of 
England  could  ride  comnodiously,  was  a  very  forest  of 
masts. 

Dick  looked  about  him  with  intense  interest,  for  he  had 
heard  much  about  this  famous  station  from  his  shipmates, 
and  felt  eager  to  make  its  acquaintance. 

The  harbor  seemed  to  him  the  finest  he  had  ever 
entered.  It  was  an  almost  impregnable  haven  for  com- 
merce, the  mouth  being  guarded  by  a  labyrinth  of  shoals 
and  reefs,  among  which  the  channels  were  so  narrow  and 
intricate  as  to  be  easily  blocked.  The  entrance  at  Port 
Royal  was  defended  by  very  strong  works,  the  guns 
ranging  the  whole  way  across,  while  a  little  farther  on 
the  attacking  ships  would  be  exposed  to  a  cross  fire  from 
the  Apostles  Battery.  }?.ut  even  if  the  enemy's  ships 
should  succeed  iu  overcoming  these  obstacles,  before  they 
could  pass  the  Narrows  and  reach  the  anchorage  they 

47 


r~" 


48 


TFIE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


11 


!! 


would  inevitably  be  blown  out  of  the  water  by  the  large 
cannon  on  Fort  Augusta,  so  that  the  good  people  had 
reason  to  go  unconcernedly  about  their  business  and 
sleep  soundly  in  their  beds,  oven  though  the  "  Corsican 
Ogre"  was  known  to  entertain  most  disturbing  designs 
upon  them  and  their  stronghold. 

They  had  no  lack  of  business  to  look  after  too,  for  the 
whole  of  the  trade  of  terra  firma  from  Porto  Cavello  down 
to  Chagres,  the  greater  part  of  the  commerce  of  Cuba 
and  St.  Domingo,  und  even  that  of  Lima  and  San  Bias 
and  other  ports  of  the  Pacific  carried  on  across  the  Isthmus 
of  Darien,  centred  at  Kingston,  the  result  being  that  a 
stream  of  gold  p,ud  silver  to  the  extent  of  millions  of 
pounds  sterling  per  annum  flowed  through  the  city  into 
England  in  return  for  another  of  British  manufactures, 
and  the  fortunate  Kingstonians  took  toll  from  both  to 
their  great  pecuniary  advantage. 

At  the  first  opportunity  Dick  obtained  leave  to  go  on 
shore  for  both  himself  and  Tenderly,  and  so  one  fiue 
morning  they  set  o&  "  to  do  the  town."  They  found  the  hot 
sandy  streets  full  of  bustle.  Long  lines  of  drays  were 
conveying  goods  from  the  wharf  to  the  stores,  and  from 
the  stores  to  the  Spanish  Posadas.  The  merchants  of  the 
place,  active,  sharp-looking  men,  were  seen  grouped  under 
the  piazzas  dickering  with  their  Spanish  customers,  or 
perched  on  top  of  the  bales  and  boxes  just  landed  await- 
ing the  coming  of  the  Dons  with  their  trains  of  Negro 
servants  and  pockets  full  of  gold  coin. 

The  town  itself  looked  very  attractive,  with  its  low 


i 


A  PLEASANT   EXPERIENCE. 


49 


spacious  houses  surrounded  by  broad  piazzas,  gayly 
painted  white  and  green,  and  formed  by  the  roofs  pro- 
jecting beyond  the  brick  walls.  On  the  ground  floor 
those  piazzas  were  open,  and  when  the  houses  adjoined 
each  other  they  formed  a  continuous  covered  way  that 
afforded  a  most  grateful  shelter  from  the  sun.  On  the 
upper  floor,  however,  the  balconies  were  shut  in  by 
movable  blinds,  called  "jalousies,"  like  large-bladed 
Venetian  blinds,  fixed  on  frames  with  glazed  sashes  at 
intervals  to  admit  light  in  bad  weather  when  the  blinds 
had  to  be  closed. 

In  the  upper  part  of  the  city  the  houses  stood  back, 
each  in  its  own  piece  of  ground,  having  a  garden  filled 
with  vines,  fruit  trees,  palms,  and  cocoanut  trees  in  front, 
and  a  court  of  Negroes'  quarters  and  oflSces  behind,  with  a 
draw-well  in  the  centre  generally  overshadowed  by  a  mag- 
nificent wild  tamarind,  the  whole  effect  being  very  pic- 
turesque, and  having  an  air  of  exceeding  comfort. 

The  two  boys,  undeterred  by  the  blazing  sun,  strolled 
along  through  street  after  street,  their  eyes  taking  in  the 
novel  and  entertaining  panorama  passing  before  them, 
and  their  tongues  hard  at  work  exchanging  comments 
upon  it.  They  were  in  the  best  of  humor  to  enjoy 
everything,  for  they  had  not  yet  got  entirely  used  to  their 
uniform,  and  felt  themselves  to  be  young  persons  of  con- 
siderable importance,  and  fairly  entitled  to  the  respectful 
interest  of  the  people  of  the  place. 

"  I  wish  we  knew  some  of  the  folks  about  here,"  said 

Dick.    "Those  gardens  look    so  tempting.    I  wonder 

D 


60 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


y  '! 


iil     ;  I 


what  they'd  think  of  us  if  we  were  to  ask  permission  to 
pick  a  little  fruit.  There  seems  to  be  a  great  deal  more 
of  it  than  they  can  use,  for  see,  it's  rotting  on  the  ground." 

"  That's  so,"  responded  Arthur,  who  had  a  keen  appre- 
ciation of  good  things,  and  whose  mouth  had  been  water- 
ing for  some  of  the  delicious  fruit  which  abounded  on 
either  hand.  "Suppose  we  try.  They  can't  do  worse 
than  say  no,  anyway." 

Screwing  his  courage  to  the  asking  point,  Dick,  fol- 
lowed closely  by  Arthur,  marched  up  the  path  to  the  door 
of  one  of  the  houses  where  the  fruit  seemed  to  be  in  greater 
abundance,  and  gave  a  very  uncertain  sort  of  knock. 
There  was  no  response,  and,  his  resolution  having  sud- 
denly deserted  him,  he  was  about  to  turn  tail  and  make 
for  the  street  again,  when  around  the  corner  of  the  piazza 
there  appeared  a  young  lady,  looking  very  charming  in  a 
white  muslin  dress  and  broad  leghorn  hat,  who  quickly 
came  up  with  a  pleasant  smile,  and  asked : 

"  Were  you  knocking  without  getting  any  answer  ?  " 

"Well — er — ^yes,  ma'am,"  murmured  Dick,  blushing 
furiously  and  looking  as  guilty  as  if  he  had  been  caught 
helping  himself  to  the  fruit  without  first  asking  permission. 

"  And  was  it  Mr.  Wilson  you  wanted  to  see  ?  "  inquired 
the  young  lady,  ardently  anxious  to  help  him  out  of  his 
embarrassment. 

"  Er — er — no,  ma'am,"  replied  Dick  ;  and  then  realizing 
that  the  sooner  their  presence  at  the  door  was  explained 
the  better,  he  blurted  out  with  sudden  energy :  "  The  fact 
iSf  ma'am,  we  were  passing  by  your  garden,  and  seeing 


r  * 


tissioD  to 
sal  more 
ground." 
n  appre- 
n  water- 
nded  on 
lo  worse 


ick,  fol- 
the  door 
1  greater 
knock, 
ing  sud- 
id  make 
e  piazza 
ling  in  a 
quickly 

rer?" 
blushing 
I  caught 
•mission, 
inquired 
it  of  his 


'ealizing 
^plained 
The  fact 
i  seeing 


fr' 


r  r 


i    ! 


I 


If  I ' 


1^-       i 


:] 


in 
hi 
ni 


The  Good  Ship  Gryphon. 


Page  51. 


A  PLEASANT  EXPERIENCE. 


51 


such  a  lot  of  firuit  it  made  our  mouths  water,  and  we 
thought  we'd  just  ask  if  we  might  have  a  taste." 

The  smile  upon  the  young  lady's  face  had  been  growing 
broader  as  the  true  meaning  of  the  boys'  action  dawned 
upon  her,  and  entering  heartily  into  the  spirit  of  the 
affair,  she  said  in  a  tone  of  unmistakable  warmth : 

"  Well,  I'm  very  glad  you  honored  us  with  this  request, 
and  if  you'll  just  come  with  me  now  you  may  pick  and 
eat  to  your  hearts'  content." 

Quite  restored  to  his  wonted  self-possession  by  the 
courteous  speech,  Dick  touched  his  cap,  and  with  a 
hearty  "  Thank  you,  Tnn.'am  ;  I'm  sure  you're  very  kind," 
gave  Tenderly  a  triuL  I:  look,  as  though  to  say :  "  See 

how  well  I've  managed  .       xVow  for  a  good  blowout." 

"  What  we  have  in  front  of  the  house  is  only  for  show," 
said  their  smiling  hostess,  "  but  if  you'll  come  with  me, 
I'll  take  you  to  our  back  garden,  of  which  I  don't  mind 
confessing  we're  rather  proud,  for  we've  tried  with  some 
success  to  have  in  it  nearly  every  kind  of  fruit  that  grows 
on  the  island." 

Mentally  felicitating  themselves  upon  their  wonderful 
good  fortune,  the  two  midshipmen  took  their  places  on 
either  side  of  the  young  lady  as  she  proceeded  around  the 
corner  of  the  house,  and  along  a  flagged  pathway  between 
two  hedges  brilliant  with  convolvuli  and  passion  flowers 
into  a  magnificent  garden,  the  like  of  which  they  had 
never  seen  in  their  lives  before. 

Here,  mingled  in  apparent  confiision,  but  really  ac- 
cording to  careful  method,  flourished  in  prodigal  profusion 


r  \ 


52 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


,    i| 


I 


I  I 


sufficient  tropical  fruit  to  constitute  a  veritable  garden  of 
Eden.  The  orange  trees  were  heavy  with  globes  in  all 
stages  of  progression,  from  dull  green  to  dropping  ripe, 
and  side  by  side  with  them  stood  the  citron,  lemon,  and 
lime  trees,  each  bearing  their  own  balls  of  juicy  richnessi 
Then  there  were  the  stately,  glossy-leaved  star  apple, 
the  golden  shaddock  and  grape  fruit,  with  their  slender 
branches  bending  under  their  ponderous  yellow  burden ; 
the  cashew,  with  its  apple  like  those  of  the  city  of  the 
plain,  fair  to  look  at,  but  acrid  to  the  taste,  to  which  the 
far-famed  nut  was  appended  like  a  bud;  the  avocada, 
with  its  enormous  pear ;  the  bread  fruit,  with  a  leaf  big 
enough  for  an  apron,  and  a  fruit  for  all  the  world  in  size 
and  shape  like  a  blackamoor's  head ;  while  lying  closer 
to  the  ground  were  the  green,  fresh,  dew-spangled  plant- 
ain, always  cool  in  the  hottest  of  days ;  the  cocoa-root, 
the  yam,  and  the  granadilla,  with  their  long  vines  twining 
up  the  neighboring  trees  and  shrubs  like  hop  tendrils ; 
the  pineapple,  growing  into  the  hedgerows  and  forming 
part  of  them ;  the  custard  apple,  with  its  russet  bags  of 
cold  pudding :  and  then,  towering  aloft  over  all,  were  the 
tall,  graceful  cocoa-nut,  the  majestic  palm,  and  the  splen- 
did wild  cotton  tree. 

Dick  drew  a  deep  breath  of  wonder  and  admiration  aa 
his  eyes  took  in  the  details  of  this  glorious  garden. 

"My  goodness,"  he  exclaimed,  "I  wish  my  mother 
could  see  this  I " 

The  young  lady  turned  upon  him  a  quick  glanoe  of 
sympathy. 


A  PLEASANT  EXPERIENCE. 


53 


"Your  mother?"  she  queried,  in  a  tone  of  interest 
"She  is  in  England,  I  suppose.  You  can't  have  gardens 
like  this  there,  can  you  ?  " 

"Yes,  she  is  in  Kent,"  answered  Dick,  with  a  half- 
smothered  sigh.  And  then  it  suddenly  occurred  to  him 
that  it  was  full  time  he  introduced  himself  to  his  fair 
entertainer.  He  went  on  in  a  somewhat  bashful  way: 
"I  ought  to  tell  our  names,  ma'am.  This  is  Arthur 
Tenderly  and  I  am  Hichard  Holland,  midshipmen  of 
H.  M.  a  *  Gryphon.'  " 

"  Mr.  Holland  and  Mr.  Tenderly,  I  am  very  glad  to 
make  your  acquaintance  in  this  informal  way,  and  after 
you  have  put  our  garden  to  the  proof,  I  am  going  to 
present  you  to  my  mother,  who  has  a  great  liking  for 
naval  officers,  and  is  always  glad  to  welcome  them  to  the 
house.  But,  first  of  all,  I  must  tell  you  that  n  /  name  is 
Miss  Wilson.  And  now  won't  you  try  which  of  the  differ- 
ent trees  has  the  nicest  fruit  on  it  ?  " 

The  boys  promptly  accepted  the  challenge,  and  during 
the  next  half-hour,  amid  much  laughter  and  chatter,  they 
managed  to  sample  nearly  every  fruit-bearing  tree  and 
vine  in  the  garden,  not  crying  halt  until  the  increasing 
tightness  of  their  waistbands  warned  them  that  they  had 
about  reached  the  limit  of  their  stowage  capacity  for  the 
present. 

"It's  really  very  kind  of  you,  Miss  Wilson,"  said 
Dick,  "and  I'm  sure  we're  ever  so  much  obliged  to 
you,  aren't  we,  Arthur?"  turning  to  his  companion, 
who  bowed  an  emphatic  assent.    "But  I  think  we've 


i 


hi* 


\ 


r^ 


54 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I  i\ 


I    i' 


stayed  long  enough  now,  and  ought  to  be  getting  under 
way  again." 

"  Indeed,  you're  not  going  until  mother  has  seen  you," 
responded  Miss  Vilson.  "She  would  give  me  a  big 
scolding  if  I  let  you  run  away  in  that  manner.  You 
must  come  into  the  house  with  me  now." 

Had  he  consulted  his  own  inclinations,  Dick  would 
have  begged  to  be  excused,  but  after  the  very  great  kind- 
ness with  which  their  intrusion  had  been  treated,  he  felt 
that  it  would  be  showing  an  ill  grace  to  refuse  Miss 
Wilson's  request,  so  he  put  himself  in  her  hands  to  do  as 
she  wished- 

Conducting  the. two  boys  into  the  drawing  room,  which 
they  found  most  gratefully  dim  and  cool  after  the  glare 
and  heat  of  the  garden,  she  went  off  into  another  part  of 
the  house,  promising  to  return  in  a  few  minutes.  For 
the  first  time  since  the  beginning  of  their  adventure  they 
had  a  chance  to  compare  notes. 

"  My  eye  I "  exclaimed  Dick,  thrusting  himself  more 
deeply  into  the  yielding  cushions  of  a  luxurious  satin- 
covered  lounge.  "  But  we  made  a  great  shot  this  time, 
didn't  we  ?  I  hope  the  old  lady  will  take  the  same  view 
of  our  impertinence  as  her  daughter." 

"  I  hope  so  too,"  answered  Tenderly.  "  But  she  can't 
very  well  be  anything  but  civil  now  that  we're  in  her 
house  by  her  daughter's  invitation,  can  she  ?  " 

Tenderly  was  of  a  nervous,  apprehensive  temperament, 
and  was  always  looking  about  for  comfort  and  reassurance 
when  in  any  situation  of  real  or  apparent  difficulty. 


^ti 


A  PLEASANT  EXPERIENCE. 


65 


"  Of  course  not,"  responded  Dick,  with  prompt  decision. 
"She'll  be  civil  enough  without  a  doubt.  What  I'm 
wondering  is  whether  she'll  take  to  us  as  kindly  as  the 
daughter  did.  It  would  be  jolly  to  have  some  friends 
here,  wouldn't  it?" 

Further  speculation  on  the  subject  was  here  brought  to 
au  end  by  the  sound  of  footsteps  coming  along  the  hall, 
aud  presently  Miss  Wilson  re-entered  the  room  with 
another  lady  at  her  side,  to  whom  her  resemblance  was 
so  striking  that  it  did  not  take  very  keen  eyes  to  decide 
their  relationship. 

"Mother,  this  is  Mr.  Holland  and  this  is  Mr.  Ten- 
derly," said  she,  as  the  midshipmen  rose  to  their  feet  and 
made  the  best  bow  they  could  manage. 

"  I  am  very  glad  indeed  to  see  you  both,"  said  Mrs. 
Wilson,  in  a  tone  of  great  cordiality.  "  Pray  be  seated 
again  and  rest  yourselves." 

Thoroughly  reassured  by  her  manner  no  less  than  her 
words,  the  boys  resumed  their  seats,  and  soon  found  them- 
selves talking  away  to  the  ladies  as  freely  as  though  they 
were  friends  of  long  standing. 

Mrs.  Wilson  was  the  very  picture  of  comeliness  and 
geniality,  her  buxom  form,  bright,  fresh  face,  sparkling 
eyes,  and  snowy  hair  giving  her  a  very  attractive  appear- 
ance, which  was  increased  by  an  expression  of  sincere 
kindliness  that  was  habitual  with  her.  She  was  a  woman 
whose  happiness  lay  chiefly  in  making  others  happy,  and 
as  she  smiled  upon  Dick,  he  thought  her,  next  to  his  own 
mother,  the  most  beautiful  woman  he  had  ever  known. 


\ 


(    ! 


r     I 


66 


THE   GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


**  May  I  ask,  Mr.  Holland,"  said  she,  after  they  had 
been  talking  together  a  little,  "  if  you  are  any  relation  to 
Captain  Holland  who  was  on  the  station  some  years  ago 
in  the  *  Thetis '  ? " 

"  I  am  his  son,"  replied  Dick,  simply,  coloring  up  at 
the  thought  of  his  father,  whose  memory  was  very  dear  to 
him,  little  as  they  had  seen  of  one  another  until  the  latter 
retired  from  active  service. 

"  You  are  his  son  ?  "  exclaimed  Mrs. Wilson.  "  Then  you 
are  doubly  welcome  to  this  house,  for  we  knew  your  father 
well,  and  many  an  evening  he  spent  with  us.  How  glad 
I  am  that  you  found  us  out  in  this  curious  way  I  It  seems 
quite  providential.  You  must  feel  perfectly  at  home  here, 
and  come  and  see  us  as  often  as  possible." 

The  tears  came  into  Dick's  eyes  at  Mrs.  Wilson's  kind 
speech.  She  had  known  his  father  well,  and  he  had 
often  been  in  her  house.  How  strange  it  all  seemed,  and 
how  pleasant  for  the  lad  who  often  felt  desperately  home- 
sick still,  in  spite  of  his  innate  fondness  for  the  sea  and 
firm  resolution  to  stick  to  it  until  he  had  risen  to  the  rank 
of  admiral  or  had  given  his  life  in  fulfillment  of  duty  I 
He  found  it  difficult  to  say  anything  in  reply  to  Mrs. 
Wilson  who,  with  womanly  instinct  understanding  his  em- 
barrassment, made  a  diversion  by  asking  him  a  number 
of  questions  about  his  ship,  and  how  he  liked  the  life  on 
board,  and  so  forth,  until  he  felt  perfectly  at  ease  again. 

She  was  very  cordial  in  her  invitation  for  them  both  to 
remain  to  dinner,  but  this  they  were  not  able  to  do  as 
their  leave  was  up  at  one  o'clock ;  so,  after  promising  to 


4 


A   PLEASANT   EXPERIENCE. 


67 


call  the  very  first  time  they  were  on  shore  again,  they 
took  their  departure  in  high  spirits  at  the  surprising  suc- 
cess of  their  bold  invasion  of  4ie  tempting  fruit  garden. 

"  We  came  out  of  that  scrape  a  good  deal  better  than 
I  ever  imagined  we  would,  I  tell  you,"  said  Dick,  as  they 
walked  rapidly  back  to  the  landing  where  they  would 
meet  the  boat  to  take  them  off  to  their  ship ;  "  and  what  s 
more,  I'm  going  to  take  Mrs.  Wilson  at  her  word,  and 
pay  her  as  many  visits  as  I  can  while  the  *  Gryphon's '  in 
port.    She  seems  just  like  a  mother  to  me  already." 

"You'll  take  me  with  you  sometimes,  won't  you, 
Dick?"  asked  Tenderly,  with  a  pleading  tone  in  his 
voice. 

"  Of  course  I  will,  Arthur,"  responded  Dick,  in  quite 
a  patronizing  tone,  for  to  tell  the  truth  he  felt  a  bit  puffed 
up  concerning  his  new-found  friends,  and  intended  to 
boast  somewhat  about  them  when  he  got  back  to  the  gun 
room. 

They  were  just  in  time  to  catch  the  boat  and  report 
themselves  to  the  first  lieutenant  as  "  Come  aboard,  sir," 
before  all  hands  were  piped  to  dinner,  and  then  they  were 
on  duty  for  the  rest  of  the  day. 

At  the  first  opportunity,  Dick  made  inquiry  about  the 
Wilsons  of  those  who  were  familiar  with  Kingston,  and 
was  delighted  to  learn  that  Mr.  Wilson  was  one  of  the 
most  important  men  in  the  place,  and  that  he  was 
esteemed  very  fortunate  in  having  the  entred  to  his 
house. 

When  Bulstrode  heard  of  his  adventure  and  its  pleas- 


f 


s 


'1 


THE  GOOb  SHIP  GRYPHON. 

ant  termination,  be  evidently  took  it  very  much  amids 
and  had  something  to  say  in  a  sneering  tone  about  "  that 
young  puppy,  Dickey-bird,  who  was  always  keeping  such 
a  good  lookout  for  number  one,  but  would  find  himself  on 
the  wrong  tack  some  fine  day." 

The  fact  of  the  matter  was,  Bulstrode  did  his  very  best 
to  make  Dick's  lot  as  hard  as  possible  He  envied  the 
lad  because  of  the  manifest  superiority  he  displayed  in 
both  mental  and  physical  exercises,  and  hated  him  for 
his  popularity  with  his  senior  oflicers,  particularly  the 
first  lieutenant,  who  showed  Dick  as  much  favor  as  was 
consistent  with  good  discipline. 

In  point  of  age  Ejulstrode  was  the  senior  midshipman 
but,  owing  in  part  to  natural  slowness  of  mind  and  in 
part  to  his  sullen,  slothful  disposition,  he  was  far  behind 
others  who  were  several  years  younger  in  regard  to  knowl- 
edge of  duties  and  drill.  Dull  as  he  was  he  had  soon 
recognized  in  Dick  a  shipmate  whose  rivalry  would  inev- 
itably become  dangerous  before  long,  and  his  one  aim 
was  to  try  and  make  the  "  Gryphon  "  so  uncomfortable 
for  him  that  he  would  take  an  early  opportunity  of  get- 
ting changed  into  some  other  ship. 

Now  of  such  a  thing  Dick  had  not  the  slightest  notion. 
He  thought  the  "  Gryphon  "  a  splendid  ship — and  in 
fact  she  was  one  of  the  finest  frigates  of  the  British  navy 
at  the  time.  He  firmly  believed  Captain  Fitewell  to  be 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  officers  afloat,  and  in  Lieu- 
tenant McKinstry  he  saw  the  beau  ideal  of  a  sailor  whose 
example  he  could  not  imitate  too  closely. 


A   PLEASANT   EXPERIENCE. 


59 


It  is  true  the  atmosphere  of  the  gun  room  could  hardly 
be  called  congenial.  Here  Bulstrode  held  a  kind  of 
leadership  by  dint  of  sheer  brute  force  more  than  any- 
thing else,  for  he  certainly  had  neither  friends  nor 
admirers,  although  his  plentiful  supply  of  pocket-money 
always  insured  him  a  number  of  satellites. 

Coarse  and  profane  as  Bulstrode  had  been  before 
Dick's  appearance,  he  was  much  more  so  afterward.  He 
could  see  that  Dick  detested  oaths,  and  loathed  lewd 
speeches  and  stories,  so  he  inflicted  as  many  upon  him  as 
he  could,  the  result  be  ing  that  poor  Dick  was  practically 
driven  out  of  the  room  except  at  meal  time,  or  when  his 
tormentor  was  on  watch,  and  but  for  the  companionship 
of  Arthur  Tenderly  would  often  have  been  desperately 
lonely. 

As  it  was,  the  two  of  them  spent  many  hours  together 
in  the  main-top  studying  their  lessons  or  reading  such 
books  as  the  oflicers  would  lend  them,  and  thus  their 
friendship  grew  steadfastly  stronger.  Tenderly  being 
greatly  benefited  by  Dick's  sturdy  independence,  the 
spirit  of  which  he  strove  eagerly  to  catch  and  share. 

Of  course  by  complaining  to  the  first  lieutenant  Dick 
might  have  had  the  hardships  of  his  lot  materially  miti- 
gated, but  rather  than  turn  "  tattle-tale  "  he  would  have 
endured  five  times  the  persecution.  It  was  wholly  con- 
trary to  his  disposition  tc  do  anything  of  the  kind.  But 
had  he  been  so  disposed,  his  experiences  would  have 
kept  him  from  it.  In  the  school  in  which  he  had  been 
brought  up,  the  bo}  who   "  peached "  put   himself  in 


<■  I 


J' 


60 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


much  the  same  categor}'  as  a  spy  in  time  of  war.  He 
became  a  pariah  and  was  tabooed  by  all  his  play- 
mates, never  again  to  be  restored  to  their  confidence. 
Trying  as  the  situation  was,  Dick  determined  to  bear  it  in 
silence,  trusting  that  Providence  would  in  due  time  make 
the  rough  places  smooth. 


/" 


CHAPTER  V. 


A  TRIP  INLAND. 


THE  stay  of  the  "  Gryphon  "  at  Kingston  was  a  happy 
time  with  Dick.  While  in  port  the  duties  of  a 
junior  midshipman  are  not  heavy,  and  he  was  able  to 
obtain  leave  to  go  on  shore  nearly  every  day.  When  he 
did  land  it  was  not  often  that  he  did  not  steer  straight  for 
Mr.  Wilson's  where  he  was  sure  to  be  warmly  welcomed, 
and  made  to  share  in  any  programme  of  pleasure  the 
family  had  arranged. 

It  was  thus  that  he  came  to  accompany  them  when, 
together  with  some  friends,  they  paid  a  visit  to  one  of  Mr. 
Wilson's  plantations  in  the  interior,  whose  sugar  product 
yielded  a  material  portion  of  his  income. 

For  such  an  expedition  Dick  would  have  to  obtain 
special  leave,  as  he  would  be  absent  the  greater  part  of  a 
week,  but  this  was  managed  easily  enough  through  t^e 
kind  offices  of  Lieutenant  McKinstry,  and  on  a  beautiful 
Wednesday  morning  Dick  presented  himself  at  Mr. 
Wilson's  door  accompanied  by  a  sailor  boy  bearing'  a  bag 
in  which  he  had  packed  his  necessary  belongings. 

He  was  in  high  spirits  at  the  prospect  of  the  trip,  and 
amused  the  older  folk  very  much  by  his  merry  speeches 
and  evident  difficulty  in  restraining  himself  from  cutting 
all  sorts  of  capers  as  the  party  was  assembling. 

61 


.  -J^C«»' 


62 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON, 


They  were  to  ride  to  their  destination,  and  fortunately 
Dick's  early  education  had  included  a  knowledge  of  the 
saddle ;  for  close  by  his  home  in  Kent  stood  the  Willows, 
the  country  seat  of  Sir  William  Maitland,  and  with  the 
baronet's  oldest  son  Dick  had  been  on  terms  of  the  great- 
est intimacy.  There  were  several  ponies  in  the  stables  of 
the  Willows,  one  of  which  was  always  at  Dick's  disposal, 
and  in  company  with  Harold  Maitland  he  had  explored 
every  highway  and  bye-way  for  miles  around,  as  weU  as 
taken  many  a  ride  across  country  at  the  tail  of  the  gal- 
loping regiment  of  fox-hunters. 

When  the  horses  were  brought  around  to  the  front, 
Dick  was  allotted  a  sturdy  little  gray  that  looked  just 
fitted  to  his  weight,  ^nd  without  waiting  for  the  others,  he 
vaulted  into  the  saddle  and  began  caracoling  about  in  fine 
style. 

"  Why,  Master  Holland,  what  a  horseman  you  are  I " 
said  Mr.  Wilson,  watching  him  with  an  expression  of 
mingled  amusement  and  admiration.  "  When  did  you 
learn  to  ride  like  that  ? " 

"At  home,  sir,"  answered  Dick,  managing  quite 
cleverly  to  touch  his  cap  with  one  hand,  while  he  reined 
in  his  steed  with  the  other.  "  I  used  to  ride  a  great  deal 
there  with  Hal  Maitland." 

**  Well,  you've  evidently  made  yourself  a  master  of  the 
noble  art  of  horsemanship,"  said  Mr.  Wilson,  "  and  I'm 
very  glad  now  I've  given  you  the  little  gray,  for  he  is  as 
full  of  spirit  as  yourself,  and  you  ought  to  get  along 
together  finely." 


A  TRIP  INLAND. 


63 


As  if  the  horse  understood  their  speech  it  set  up  a 
pranciDg  and  curvetting  that  might  have  disconcerted  a 
rider  with  less  firm  seat  than  Dick,  but  he  was  quite 
equal  to  the  occasion  and  easily  controlled  his  lively 
mount,  while  the  others  one  by  one  got  into  their  saddles 
and  made  ready  to  start. 

At  last  they  got  off  amid  a  shower  of  "  good-byes " 
and  good  wishes,  the  party  being  made  up  as  follows : 
Mr.  Wilson,  mounted  upon  a  sturdy  black  cob  of  dignified 
demeanor,  befitting  its  rider ;  Miss  Wilson,  controlling 
with  light  but  firm  hand,  a  beautiful  white  mare ;  Dick, 
dancing  along  on  his  lively  grey,  and  a  couple  of  the 
younger  members  of  the  neighboring  family,  Alice  and 
Frank  Romayne,  the  one  about  the  same  age  as  Miss 
Wilson  and  the  other  a  contemporary  of  Dick's,  each 
mounted  upon  his  own  pony  and  ready  for  a  good  time. 
Mrs.  Wilson  remained  at  home  as  the  long  ride  would  be 
too  severe  a  tax  upon  her  strength. 

The  day  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  and  the  little 
cavalcade  made  good  progress  along  the  white,  dusty  road 
which  wound  its  way  through  dense  masses  of  tropical 
foliage  that  admirably  served  to  shield  the  travelers  from 
the  glare  of  the  sun.  It  was  Dick's  first  ride  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  his  quick  observant  eyes  found  a  thou- 
sand things  that  called  forth  his  wonder  and  delight. 
Now  it  would  be  a  beautiful  bird  flashing  in  a  frightened 
way  across  the  road,  and  again  it  would  be  a  huge,  hide- 
ous lizard  basking  luxuriously  in  the  heat  and  too  lazy 
to  move  as  they  trotted  noisily  by. 


64 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


Then  the  wonders  of  foliage,  fruit,  and  flower  called 
forth  his  constapt  admiration,  and  he  was  every  minute 
asking  Miss  Wilson,  at  whose  side  he  rode,  to  tell  him  the 
names  of  the  different  trees  and  plants.  This  was  not  out 
of  mere  curiosity,  but  from  a  genuine  thirst  for  knowl- 
edge. No  boy  could  be  more  eager  to  learn  than  Dick. 
Everything  about  him  was  so  novel  to  him  that  he  was 
full  of  eagerness  to  get  rid  of  his  ignorance  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  and  be  had  no  false  pride  as  to  asking 
questions.  He  was  quite  willing  for  his  friends  to  know 
the  extent  of  his  unfamiliarity  with  what  he  saw  just  in 
order  that  they  might  instruct  him. 

Mr.  Wilson  finding  him  so  interested  in  his  surround- 
ings, pointed  out  the  various  estates  they  passed,  telling 
him  something  about  the  history  of  each  and  of  their 
owners,  for  he  was  a  man  of  large  information,  having 
spent  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  on  the  island,  and 
had  many  striking  stories  to  tell  concerning  his  fellow- 
residents. 

The  farther  they  left  the  city  behind  the  fewer  grew 
the  residences,  and  when  they  reached  the  base  of  the 
Liguanea  Mountains,  which  towered  nearly  five  thousand 
feet  into  the  air,  they  were  practically  in  the  wilderness. 

"  How  would  you  like  to  own  a  plantation  here  and  go 
into  sugar-raising,  Dick  ?  "  asked  M  r.  Wilson,  with  a 
quizzical  look,  as  they  slowly  ascended  a  steep  slope. 

Dick  hesitated  a  little  before  replying.  To  his  mind 
there  was  nothing  to  be  compared  to  a  sailor's  life,  and 
he  saw  no  attraction  whatever  in  being  bound  down  to 


\. 


A  TRIP  INLAND, 


65 


rew 

the 

sand 

3SS. 

go 
L  a 

lind 
land 
to 


any  shore-going  occupation.  But  ho  shrank  from  saying 
this  too  bluntly  lest  it  might  offend  his  kind  host,  whose 
interests  were  altogether  connected  with  terra  firma. 

"  I  really  don't  know,  sir,"  he  said,  slowly.  "  I  never 
tried  it,  you  know,  and  I've  always  thought  of  the  sea 
because  my  father  was  a  sailor,  I  suppose." 

"Answered  like  a  diplomat,"  laughed  Mr.  Wilson. 
"  It  was  hardly  a  fair  question  to  ask  you,  but  you've 
parried  it  most  skillfully.  Of  course  you  prefer  the  sea, 
especially  in  these  exciting  times,  and  could  not  bear  the 
thought  of  settling  down  to  any  such  hum-drum  business 
as  sugar-planting." 

"  That's  about  it,  sir,"  answered  Dick.  "  I  like  excite- 
ment, and  the  more  I  get  of  it  the  better  I  like  it." 

"  Well,  my  boy,"  returned  Mr.  Wilson,  a  serious  ex- 
pression beclouding  his  face,  "  it's  more  than  likely  that 
you  will  have  all  the  excitement  you  can  wish  for  during 
the  next  few  years.  Napoleon  is  determined  to  make 
himself  master  of  the  West  Indies.  Nothing  less  than 
the  undisputed  possession  of  the  whole  chain^  not  even 
excepting  Cuba  will  satisfy  his  ambition,  and  I  fear  there 
will  be  much  precious  blood  shed  and  many  fine  vessels 
destroyed  before  the  issue  is  finally  settled.  Not  that  I 
have  any  doubt  as  to  the  result.  Britain  will  win  in  the 
end  as  sure  as  there  is  a  wise  Providence  overruling 
human  aflTairs,  but  it  may  be  at  terrible  cost.  God  grant 
that  you,  Dick,  may  pass  safely  through  the  perils  you 
will  inevitably  have  to  face." 

He  was  silent  for  a  moment  as  though  thinking  deeply, 

E 


■M 


\ 


66 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


lih 


«i 


Then  glaucing  up  at  the  sky  he  exclaimed,  suddenly: 
"  Hullo  1  I  don't  like  the  look  of  that  cloud.  Tin 
afraid  there's  a  rain  storm  coming  on.  We  must  look 
out  for  shelter." 

So  saying  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  bidding  the 
others  whip  up  theirs  he  set  off  along  the  road  at  a  hard 
canter,  the  whole  party  following  closely  behind. 

The  road  wound  around  a  precipitous  spur  of  the 
mountains,  and  on  looking  up  along  the  ridge,  a  lowering 
mass  of  clouds  could  be  seen  which  gradually  spread  out 
and  began  to  roll  downward  upon  the  tree  tops,  while 
along  its  lower  edge  hung  a  fringe  of  dark  vapor  that 
shifted  about,  and  shot  out  and  shortened  like  streamers. 

"Ride!  ridel"  shouted  Mr.  Wilson,  looking  back 
over  his  shoulder,  as  he  pressed  his  horse  into  a  full 
gallop.     "  We've  not  a  moment  to  lose." 

At  top  speed  they  dashed  along  the  road,  the  dust 
rising  in  great  clouds  and  whirling  in  their  faces  as  the 
wind  caught  it  and  carried  it  upward.  Already  the  sound 
of  the  rain  falling  in  torrents  higher  up  the  mountain 
side  could  be  heard. 

"  Quicker  I  quicker ! "  cried  Mr.  Wilson,  the  foam  fall- 
ing from  his  hors<^,'s  mouth  as  he  urged  it  onward.  Then 
with  a  glad  shout  of  "  Here  we  are,"  he  reined  up  short 
before  a  break  in  the  forest  wall  into  which  he  turned, 
and  another  quick  run  of  not  more  than  a  hundred  yards 
brought  him  to  a  large  building,  the  big  doors  of  which 
happily  stood  wide  open. 

Without  waiting  to  dismount  he  headed  straight  for  it. 


A  TRIP  INLAND. 


67 


dust 

the 

sound 

itain 

fall- 

iThen 

short 

|rned, 

^ards 

rhich 

For  it. 


the  rest  doing  likewise,  and  just  as  the  rain  came  down 
with  true  tropical  violence,  they  all  found  themselves 
safely  sheltered  in  a  huge  barn  or  storehouse,  with  the 
position  of  which  Mr.  Wilson  was  fortunately  familiar. 

"  Ah,  ha  I "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  tone  of  great  relief,  as 
he  dismounted  from  his  panting  steed.  "  That  was  a  very 
close  shave.     Just  see  what  we  escaped !  " 

That  moment  the  rain — if  rain  it  might  be  called,  for 
it  was  indeed  more  like  a  waterspout — began  to  fail  from 
the  lower  edge  of  the  black  cloud  with  a  strong,  rushing 
noise,  that  increased  as  it  approached  to  a  loud  roar, 
worthy  of  a  first-class  waterfall.  As  it  came  along,  it 
seemed  to  devour  the  rocks  and  trees,  for  they  disappeared 
behind  the  watery  screen  the  instant  it  reached  them. 
Down  came  the  deluge  in  this  fashion  for  the  space  of 
nearly  fifteen  minutes,  the  well-protected  party  watching 
it  with  bated  breath  and  grateful  hearts  at  having  so 
fortunately  escaped  not  merely  the  drenching,  but  the 
danger  of  a  stroke  of  lightning,  for  a  terrible  thunder- 
storm accompanied  the  rain. 

"  Do  you  often  have  such  storms  as  this,  Mr.  Wilson  ?  '* 
asked  Dick,  bethinking  himself  that  it  would  not  be  very 
pleasant  to  be  out  in  an  open  boat  off  an  exposed  coast  in 
the  midst  of  so  furious  a  turmoil  of  the  elements. 

"  Not  very  often,  Dick,  I  am  happy  to  say,"  replied 
Mr,  Wilson, "  and  when  they  do  come  they  don't  last  long. 
See,  this  one  is  clearing  off  already.  We  will  soon  be 
able  to  resume  our  journey." 

Sure  enough,  the  rain  was  coming  down  less  violently, 


m 


1 


\ 


68 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


H 


i 


and  the  darkness  was  giving  way.  Almost  as  rapidly  aa 
it  had  gathered^  the  storm  cleared  off  again,  and  after 
waiting  awhile  to  allow  the  drippings  from  the  trees  to 
cease,  Mr.  Wilson  gave  orders  to  remount,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  they  were  all  in  their  saddles. 

"  We  shall  have  to  ride  more  carefully  now,"  said  their 
leader,  "  for  no  doubt  the  road  has  suffered  a  good  deal 
of  damage." 

The  road  had  been  gullied  badly  wherever  it  dipped, 
and  there  were  many  pools  still  standing  upon  it,  so  that 
the  pace  of  the  riders  was  a  much  slower  one  than  before 
the  storm.  But  this  did  not  matter  very  seriously,  as 
ample  time  had  been  allowed  for  the  trip,  and  the  sun 
was  still  high  in  thte  now  cloudless  sky,  when  Mr.  Wilson 
said: 

"  Ah,  here  we  are,  and  I'm  right  glad  of  it,  for  I'm 
beginning  to  feel  decidedly  hungry,  as  I've  no  doubt  you 
all  are,  eh?" 

"  I  think  we're  all  quite  ready  to  enjoy  our  dinners," 
responded  Miss  Romayne,  with  a  laugh.  "  For  my  part, 
I  never  felt  hungrier  in  my  life." 

"  Well,  my  dear,  unless  my  orders  miscarried,  I  believe 
I  can  promise  you  a  fairly  respectable  repast,  for  old 
Nancy  has  by  no  means  yet  forgotten  her  culinary  skill." 
And  Mr.  Wilson  smacked  his  lips  in  a  serio-comic  way. 

They  had  turned  off  the  main  road  and  were  proceed- 
ing along  an  avenue  lined  with  lofty  trees,  beyond  which 
the  fields  of  sugar-cane  stretched  away  in  great  billows  of 
gold  and  green.     Presently  they  came  to  an  open  space 


; 


A  TRIP  INLAND. 


69 


>» 


led- 

ich 

of 

36 


carpeted  with  thick  grass,  at  the  farther  end  of  which 
Btood  a  comfortable-looking  house. 

"There  you  are,  Dick,"  said  Mr.  Wilson,  pointing 
toward  the  house.  "  That's  Mangrove  Cottage,  and  this," 
giving  a  semi-circular  sweep  with  his  hand,  "  is  the  best 
yielding  sugar  plantation  I  have." 

Dick  looked  about  him  with  deep  interest,  and  as  the 
thought  of  this  lovely  plaC/C  being  only  one  of  several 
owned  by  his  host  came  into  his  mind,  a  doubt  as  to 
whether,  after  all,  it  was  not  better  to  be  a  planter  than 
even  the  captain  of  as  fine  a  frigate  as  the  "  Gryphon  " 
made  its  appearance,  only,  however,  to  be  summarily  dis- 
missed again. 

In  response  to  Mr.  Wilson's  commanding  call  of 
"  Boys !  boys  I "  half  a  dozen  Negroes  came  running  around 
the  corner  of  the  house  with  beaming  faces  of  welcome, 
for  their  owner  was  one  of  the  kindest  masters  on  the 
island,  and  his  slaves  regarded  him  as  a  friend  to  be  loved, 
and  not  as  a  tyrant  to  be  feared. 

Dick  had  come  to  the  West  Indies  with  some  precon- 
ceived ideas  about  slavery,  based  mainly  upon  the  stories 
his  father  had  brought  home  concerning  atrocities  wit- 
nessed by  him,  but  what  he  witnessed  here  gave  him  an 
altogether  new  conception  of  the  institution,  although 
he  could  not  bring  himself  to  approve  of  it.  There 
were  in  all  nearly  a  hundred  slaves  upon  the  estate, 
and  a  heartier,  healthier,  happier  lot  of  Negroes  he  had 
never  seen  anywhere.  They  had  their  quarters  at  the 
back  of  the  house,  with  a  space  of  a  couple  of  hundred 


\. 


I 


'li 


70 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON, 


yards  between,  and  their  homes  were  low,  broad,  comfort- 
able huts,  having  walls  of  basket-work  plastered  over 
with  claj,  and  thick  roofs  thatched  with  palm  leaves, 
while  the  floors  were  of  baked  clay — firm,  smooth,  and 
dry. 

After  a  refreshing  luncheon,  which  all  enjoyed  with 
great  relish,  Mr.  Wilson  carried  off  his  guests  to  make  a 
tour  of  the  estate,  and  was  very  entertaining  as  he  took 
them  about  from  point  to  point  of  interest.  It  seemed  as 
though  every  kind  of  fruit  known  to  the  tropics  flourished 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  property,  and  the  young  folks 
had  a  grand  time  trying  the  respective  merits  of  avoca- 
das,  granadillas,  custard  a2)ples,  and  a  dozen  other  kinds 
of  nature's  delicious  dainties. 

They  concluded  their  tour  with  a  visit  to  the  Negro 
quarters,  which  they  reached  just  as  the  blowing  of  a 
large  conch-shell  at  the  overseer's  house  called  the  field 
gangs  into  dinner.  With  a  quickness  that  showed  how 
eagerly  they  had  been  awaiting  the  summons,  they 
came  along  the  paths,  dancing,  shouting,  and  play- 
ing all  sorts  of  practical  jokes  upon  one  another  in  their 
delighted  anticipation  of  a  good  dinner,  with  a  full  hour 
and  half  in  which  to  enjoy  it.  They  looked  the  very 
picture  of  comfort  and  content,  the  men  being  well  clad 
in  osnaburg  shirts  and  trousers,  and  the  women  in  baize 
petticoats  and  osnaburg  waists,  with  a  neat,  printed  calico 
gown  over  all. 

So  utterly  different  was  the  picture  from  what  Dick 
had  imagined  it  would  be,  that  he  could  not  restrain  an 


S'egro 
of  a 
field 
how 
they 
)lay- 


)aize 
Lico 

)ick 
an 


A  TRIP  INLAND. 


71 


exclamation  of  surprise,  that  aroused  Mr.  Wilson's  curi- 
osityi  and  led  to  a  number  of  questionsi  in  answering 
which,  Dick  frankly  explained  his  state  of  mind. 

"  And  so  you  thought  every  slaveholder  was  a  sort  of 
ogre,  did  you,  Dick?"  asked  Mr.  Wilson,  with  a  smile 
that  showed  he  felt  no  resentment  "  Well,  I  don't  won- 
der at  it,  either,  in  view  of  the  things  they  say  about  us 
at  home,  and  I'm  very  glad  I've  had  the  chance  of 
proving  to  you  that  we  planters  are  not  quite  so  black  as 
some  people  paint  us.  You  see  how  contented  my  slaves 
look.  Well,  I  never  allow  the  whip  to  be  used  on  any 
of  my  estates,  and  the  consequence  is  that  my  slaves  are 
so  eager  to  stay  with  me  that  if  any  of  them  are  shirking 
work,  or  behaving  badly  in  any  other  way,  I  have  only 
to  threaten  to  sell  them  to  a  neighbor  of  mine,  who  is 
notorious  for  using  his  people  with  great  severity,  in  order 
to  bring  them  back  to  good  conduct.  At  the  same  time, 
Dick,"  he  went  on,  "  I  may  tell  you  frankly,  that  I  do  not 
think  slavery  a  blessing  by  any  means,  and  wiU  be  very 
glad  for  one  when  it  is  found  possible  to  do  away  with  it 
altogether." 

"That  will  be  a  splendid  thing,  won't  it,  sir?"  ex- 
claimed Dick,  with  glowing  face. 

"I'm  not  quite  so  sure  about  it,  Dick,"  replied  Mr. 
Wilson.  "Perhaps  after  the  slaves  get  their  freedom, 
they  won't  know  how  to  make  a  good  use  of  it.  But  of 
course  that's  not  our  business  so  long  as  it  is  right  that 
they  should  be  free." 

They  had  got  back  to  the  house  by  this  time,  and  the 


i 


i 


I) 


i 


i 


'    f 


72 


THE  GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


heat  of  the  sun  being  very  great,  they  went  in-doore  for  a 
siesta,  for  which  everybody  was  quite  ready,  having  made 
such  an  early  start  in  the  morning. 

Two  hours  later  they  gathered  again  on  the  shady  side 
of  the  piazza,  awaiting  the  summons  to  dinner,  which 
presently  came  booming  out  from  the  big,  cool  dining 
room,  as  the  cook  proudly  banged  a  gong  upon  the  man- 
tel-piece. In  high  good-humor  they  took  their  places, 
and  amid  much  talk  and  laughter  showed  a  keen  appre- 
ciation of  the  good  things  which  had  been  abundantly 
provided. 

By  the  time  the  meal  had  been  disposed  of  in  a 
leisurely  fashion,  and  Mr.  Wilson  had  enjoyed  his  usual 
after-dinner  smoke^  it  was  too  dark  to  go  about,  so  the 
lamps  were  lit,  and  Mr.  Wilson  sent  for  some  of  the  best 
singers  in  the  "  quarters "  to  come  up  and  entertain  his 
guests  with  their  quaint  and  sweet  melodies. 

In  response  to  the  order,  a  dozen  or  more  of  both  sexes 
presently  made  their  appearance,  all  dressed  in  their 
holiday  garments,  and  looking  radiant  at  being  honored 
by  a  command  to  appear  before  "  Massa  and  his  folks." 
Then  followed  a  programme  of  songs  and  dances  that 
hugely  pleased  Dick,  to  whom  it  was  more  novel  than  to 
any  of  the  others.  Although  necessarily  under  consider- 
able restraint  from  the  presence  of  so  many  "buccra  folk,'' 
still  there  was  enough  wildness  about  both  the  music  and 
the  dancing  to  make  them  very  striking  to  the  English 
boy,  to  whom  the  whole  scene  seemed  so  wierd  and 
strange,  and  he  gave  such  close  attention  that  the  others 


) 


A   TRIP  INLAND. 


73 


"You  may  laugh  at  me,  if  you  like,  but  you  know  I've 


CHAPTER  VI. 


/ 


I  ■' 


I 


WORK  AFTER  PLAY. 

THERE  was  abundant  accommodation  at  the  Man- 
groves for  the  whole  party,  and  in  good  time  they 
retired  to  their  rooms  as  they  would  have  to  make  au 
early  start  the  next  morning.  It  was  Dick's  first  experi- 
ence of  a  night  ashore  in  the  tropics,  and  he  had  rather  a 
disturbed  time  of  it,  for  with  the  darkness  came  a  chorus 
of  noises  the  like  of  which  he  had  never  heard  before.  It 
was  a  combination  of  numberless  reptiles  and  insects  on 
the  earth,  in  the  air,  and  in  the  water,  each  variety 
seeming  to  be  striving  to  surpass  the  others  in  the 
vigor  and  persistency  of  its  peculiar  utterance,  while,  as 
if  to  accentuate  the  performance,  huge  beetles  with  bodies 
as  big  as  a  walnut  would  every  now  and  then  come  sailing 
in  through  the  open  window,  and  go  cruising  around  the 
room  with  a  noise  like  a  humming-top,  banging  against 
the  walls  at  intervals  in  apparent  endeavors  to  dash  out 
their  brains. 

"  Bless  my  heart,  I  wish  the  creatures  would  stop  their 
row,"  groaned  Dick,  who  sorely  wanted  to  get  to  sleep. 
"  I  think  I'll  shut  the  window  and  see  if  that  will  be  any 
better." 

So  saying  he  sprang  out  of  bed  and  started  across  the 
room,  but  hardly  had  he  put  his  foot  to  the  fiooi  than  it 
74 


WORK  AFTER  PLAY. 


76 


wafl  seized  Id  what  felt  like  the  grip  of  red-hot  pincers, 
and  before  he  could  restrain  himself  he  let  out  a  shout  of 
alarm  that  brought  young  Romayne  rushing  into  his 
room,  followed  closely  by  Mr.  Wilson,  bearing  a  light  in 
his  hand.  They  found  Dick  sitting  on  the  edge  of  the 
bed,  and  struggling  manfully  to  release  the  big  toe  of  his 
right  foot  from  the  grasp  of  a  big  land-crab  that  had 
clapper-clawed  it  with  vicious  energy,  and  now  hung  on 
like  grim  death. 

"Oh I  hoi  my  boy,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Wilson,  as  he 
laughed  heartily,  reassured  at  finding  the  matter  was  not 
more  serious.  "  Is  that  what  startled  you.  Well,  we'll 
soon  rid  you  of  your  new  acquaintance  who  wants  to  be 
so  unduly  intimate." 

Seizing  a  stick  Mr.  Wilson  thrust  it  into  the  crack  of 
the  crab's  jaws  and  wrenched  them  open,  releasing  the 
captured  toe,  then  deftly  snatching  up  the  crustacean  he 
flung  it  out  at  the  window. 

"  There,  Dick,"  said  he,  "  that  disposes  of  the  intruder, 
and  now  let  us  see  how  severely  you  are  wounded." 

Fortunately  the  bite  was  not  a  severe  one,  the  first 
agony  of  it  having  been  the  worst  and,  having  bound  it 
up  in  a  cooling  bandage,  Mr.  Wilson  bade  Dick  "  Good- 
night" again,  with  the  hope  that  he  would  have  no 
additional  disturbance.  Thoroughly  tired  out  by  this 
time,  Dick  fell  asleep  almost  as  soon  as  his  head  touched 
the  pillow,  despite  the  grumblings  of  his  big  toe,  and  it 
was  broad  daylight  before  he  awoke. 

After  an  early  breakfast  the  horses  were  brought  to  the 


i 


76 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I" 


door  and  the  party  mounted  for  the  homeward  journey, 
which  was  accomplished  without  especial  incident  before 
midday.  The  same  afternoon,  Dick,  with  many  expres- 
sions of  gratitude  for  the  pleasure  he  had  been  afforded, 
returned  to  the  "  GrypLon,"  where  Tenderly  greeted  him 
as  warmly  as  if  he  had  been  away  for  a  whole  month. 
The  fact  of  the  matter  was  the  poor  boy  felt  utterly  alone 
without  Dick.  He  had  no  other  friend  on  board  the 
frigate,  and  in  Dick's  absence  mooned  about  in  a  de- 
pressed way  that  made  the  other  midshipmen  laugh  at 
him  all  the  more,  but  without  any  effect  upon  him. 

He  greatly  enjoyed  Dice's  lively  account  of  his  experi- 
ences ashore  and  said  in  such  a  longing  tone,  "  Oh,  Dick, 
how  I  wish  I  had  been  with  you  I "  that  Dick  promised 
him  he  would  certainly  ask  Mr.  Wilson  to  take  him  if 
they  ever  went  on  such  an  expedition  again. 

The  next  day,  however,  there  came  word  aboard  the 
"Gryphon"  which  meant  that  something  more  serious 
than  pleasure  trips  ashore  would  have  to  be  considered. 
All  shore-going  was  stonped,  messengers  were  sent  to 
recall  the  officers  already  on  leave,  and  the  entire  crew 
was  kept  busy  getting  the  ship  ready  to  sail  at  an  hour's 
notice. 

The  reason  for  this  bustle  was  presently  made  known. 
One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  French  after  war  with  Britain 
had  again  broken  out,  was  to  put  into  commission  a  num- 
ber of  privatoers,  swift-sailing  schooners  of  comparatively 
small  size,  but  capable  of  doing  a  vast  deal  of  mischief 
to  unprotected  merchant  vessels.     These  pests  of  the  sea 


WORK   AFTER   PLAY. 


77 


y 

f 

la 


were  in  sore  need  of  severe  discipline,  and  the  "  Gryphon," 
as  one  of  the  fleetest  frigates  on  the  station,  had  been 
Stilected  to  administer  it. 

Captaia  Fitewell  would  have  much  preferred  being 
sent  after  more  important  game,  but  he  confided  this  to 
no  one  save  his  first  lieutenant,  and  seemed  as  eager  to 
get  away  as  if  he  was  realizing  the  desire  of  his  heart. 

As  the  result  of  lively  stirring  around,  the  frigate  was 
in  readiness  to  sail  the  following  morning,  and  when  the 
final  orders  came  from  the  admiral,  she  threaded  her  way 
out  of  the  harbor,  and  by  midday  was  bowling  along  be- 
fore a  westerly  breeze  in  the  direction  of  Martinique. 

Although  sorry  at  being  so  suddenly  separated  from 
his  new-found  friends,  to  \\hom  he  had  already  become 
warmly  attached,  Dick  was  pleased  at  the  prospect  of  his 
ship  having  something  to  do,  and  he  looked  forward  to 
the  chasing  of  the  privateers  with  lively  expectation. 
He  had  a  cordial  antipathy  to  the  French,  in  large  part 
of  courae  inherited  from  his  father,  and  he  firmly  believed 
that  the  crushing  of  the  power  of  Bonaparte  would  be 
the  greatest  blessing  that  Britain  could  confer  upon  the 
civilized  world.  Hence  he  was  full  of  eagerness  to  share 
in  anything  that  would,  however  remotely,  help  toward 
that  conclusion.  He  was  far  from  being  of  a  blood- 
thirsty disposition.  He  saw  nothing  attractive  in  war 
of  itself.  But  he  had  a  high  sense  of  duty,  and  cherished 
an  inspiring  conviction  that  if  he  were  only  faithful  and 
prompt  to  avail  himself  of  the  opportunities  that  pre- 
sented themselves  he  might  contribute  something  to  the 


1 


ii 


\ 


78 


THE   GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


i  !' 


result,  the  ultimate  certainty  of  which  he  never  for  a 
moment  doubted. 

The  first  day  out  from  Kingston  was  a  glorious  one, 
the  wind  being  just  right,  the  sky  unclouded,  the  heat  not 
oppressive,  and  the  "Gryphon"  showing  to  the  best 
advantage  as  she  raced  through  the  white-caps  that  curled 
away  from  her  foreports  as  if  they  were  glad  to  make 
way  for  her.  Dick  and  Tenderly,  not  being  on  duty,  had 
climbed  up  to  their  favorite  eyrie  in  the  main-top  and 
were  snugly  ensconced  there  enjoying  a  quiet  talk  to- 
gether. 

"  I'm  glad  we're  off  again,"  said  Dick,  "  even  if  it  is 
only  to  chase  privateers.  It's  not  much  fun  staying  in 
port,  is  it,  Arthur  ? " 

Arthur  did  not  assent  at  all  promptly  or  heartily.  For 
his  part  he  very  much  preferred  being  in  port.  There 
was  nothing  martial  in  his  spirit,  and  the  less  he  got 
of  active  service  the  better  he  would  be  pleased. 

"Why,  Arthur,"  laughed  Dick,  looking  at  him  curi- 
ously, "  I  really  believe  you'd  rather  stay  in  port." 

"  Well,  I  would,  Dick,  and  I  don't  mind  saying  so  to 
you,  although  I  wouldn't  like  any  of  the  others  to  hear 
it,"  confessed  Arthur,  looking  very  shamefaced.  "I'm 
not  fond  of  fighting  and  it's  no  use  pretending  that  I 


am. 


»> 


Dick  felt  a  strong  inclination  to  make  a  remark  ex- 
pressive of  his  contempt  for  such  a  lack  of  spirit,  but 
there  was  so  pathetic  an  expression  in  Arthur's  pale  face 
that  he  kept  it  back,  and  in  a  moment  was  very  glad  that 


WORK   AFTER   PLAY. 


79 


to 

jar 

'm 

I 


it 

36 
It 


I 


\ 


he  did,  for  poor  Tenderly,  reading  in  his  open  counte- 
nance something  of  what  was  passing  in  his  mind  and 
dreading  lest  the  words  should  come,  put  up  his  hands  in 
a  pleading  way,  saying : 

"  Don't,  Dick,  please.  I  know  you  think  me  a  con- 
temptible coward.  That's  what  all  the  other  fellows  call 
me.  But,  please,  don't  you  say  it  too.  You're  the  only 
one  that  shows  me  any  kindness,  and  it  would  break  my 
heart  if  you  were  to  turn  against  me." 

It  gave  Dick  a  curious  feeling  of  superiority  to  have  a 
companion  older  and  taller  than  himself  appeal  to  him  in 
this  way. 

"  I  wasn't  going  to  call  you  a  coward,  Arthur,"  said  he, 
putting  his  hand  on  the  other's  shoulder.  "  You  can't 
help  not  liking  the  navy.  You  didn't  choose  it  for  your- 
self as  I  did,  and  it  seems  too  bad  that  you  have  to  stay 
in  it.  But,  look  here,  Arthur,  since  you  can't  get  out  of 
it,  you  must  try  and  make  the  best  of  it.  So  you  ought 
to  pray  to  God  to  give  you  strength  and  courage." 

*'  I  do,  Dick,"  murmured  Arthur,  with  a  half-sob.  "  I 
pray  like  that  every  day,  but  somehow  or  other  I  don't 
seem  to  get  any  braver." 

"  But  you  will,  Arthur,  you  will,"  responded  Dick,  with 
a  confidence  that  sent  a  thrill  of  hope  through  his  com- 
panion. "  Just  keep  on  praying  and  do  your  best,  and 
it'll  all  come  right,  see  if  it  doesn't." 

Dick  had  an  unfaltering  faith  in  Providence.  The 
privilege  of  divine  protection  and  guidance  was  as  real  to 
him  as  the  discipline  of  the  ship.    On  the  fly-leaf  of  his 


\ 


80 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


iv 


;.i . 


Bible,  his  mother  had  written  in  her  clear,  firm  hand : 
"  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord ;  trust  also  in  him,  and 
he  shall  bring  it  to  pass  "  ;  and  this  precious  text  might 
be  said  to  furnish  the  keynote  of  his  life,  so  that  even 
though  the  problem  Tenderly  presented  was  by  no  means 
one  easy  of  solution,  Dick  entertained  not  the  slightest 
skepticism  about  its  right  solution  in  due  time. 

As  the  day  waned,  the  weather  indicatio^as  grew  un- 
favorable and  the  sun  set  amid  a  turmoil  of  angry-look- 
ing clouds  that  betokened  rough  weather  for  the  morrow. 
This  promise  was  amply  fulfilled,  for  with  the  morning 
came  a  wild  northwester  that  tested  the  staunch  frigate's 
sailing  capacity  to  the  utmost.  When  Dick  turned  out 
he  found  the  cloud  of  canvas  that  had  covered  the  yards 
the  preceding  day  snugly  stowed,  while  under  a  close- 
reefed  main-topsail  and  reefed  fore-sail,  with  top-gallant 
yards  and  royal  masts  and  everything  that  could  be 
struck  with  safety  in  war  time,  down  on  deck,  the  "  Gry- 
phon "  was  rolling  and  pitching  furiously  as  she  tore  her 
way  through  the  boiling  sea. 

What  a  splendid  sight  the  noble  ship  presented  as  she 
drove  onward  before  the  gale  with  her  clear,  black  bends 
and  bright,  white  streak,  the  long  tier  of  cannon  on  the 
main-deck  and  the  carronades  on  the  quarter-deck  and 
forecastle  grinning  through  the  ports  in  the  black  bul- 
warks, while  the  white  hammocks,  carefully  covered  by 
the  L.immock  cloths,  crowned  the  defenses  fore  and  aft. 
Bravely  she  plunged  through  the  green  surge — one  min- 
ute rolling  and  rising  on  the  curling  white  crest  of  a 


be 

ry- 
ler 


ift. 
lin- 
a 


I 


WORK   AFTER   PLAY. 


81 


mountainous  sea,  amid  a  hissing  storm  of  spray,  with  her 
bright  copper  glancing  from  stem  to  stern,  and  her  scanty 
white  canvas  swelling  aloft,  and  twenty  feet  of  her  keel 
forward  occasionally  hove  into  the  air  clear  out  of  the 
water,  as  if  she  had  been  a  sea-bird  rushing  to  take  wing, 
and  the  next,  sinking  almost  out  of  sight  into  the  trough 
between  two  gigantic  billows. 

This  was  the  sort  of  thing  that  Dick  heartily  delighted 
in,  and  as  he  stood  his  watch  upon  deck,  he  enjoyed  the 
plunging  motion  of  the  vessel  like  a  rider  rejoicing  in  the 
springing  of  his  steed  beneath  him  as  he  galloped  over 
an  expanse  of  open  common. 

The  northwester  blew  steadily  all  that  day,  but  moder- 
ated considerably  during  the  night,  so  that  the  following 
morning  more  sail  could  be  carried  and  a  straight  course 
set  for  Martinique.  That  afternoon  a  merchant  vessel 
was  sighted  and  boarded,  from  which  the  information  was 
obtained  that  the  famous  French  privateer  schooner, 
"  L'Harmonie,"  which  had  done  more  damage  to  British 
commerce  than  any  other  of  her  class,  had  just  taken  a 
prize  into  the  harbor  -  i  Mari'i  in  the  Bay  of  St.  Ann, 
Martinique. 

Captain  Fitewell  rubbed  his  hands  with  gLiu>ii  geitmg 
this  news. 

"  Ah  !  ha ! "  said  he,  "  if  the  information  is  corr^-ct, 

we've  got  the  very  rascal  I'm  most  particularly  iinxxous 

to  capture  snugly  in  a  corner,  out  of  which  he  won't  get 

until  we  bring  him." 

"  Do  you  propose  to  enter  the  harbor,  sir  ? "  inquired 

F 


i 


u  ,• 


82 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


hm 


IP    'si  I 


Lieutenant  McKinstry.  "They  say  it  is  pretty  well 
defended." 

"That's  the  very  thing  I  do  propose  to  do,  lieutenant," 
replied  the  captain ;  "  but  of  course  not  with  the  frigate. 
I  will  send  the  launches  in  under  your  command,  and  you 
may  have  as  many  sailors  and  marines  as  you  think 
necessary." 

Lieutenant  McKinstry's  face  lit  up  at  this.  Such  an 
undertaking  was  entirely  to  his  mind  and,  thanking  Cap- 
tain Fitewell  for  eiit*  .  ting  it  to  him,  he  went  off  to  begin 
the  necessary  rrepavutions. 

At  dayligh  ntXh  mo^Ting  the  mountains  of  Martinique 
were  seen  loomLBg  <';>  on  the  weather-bow  and  drawing 
rapidly  neare^  as  the  frigate  bowled  along  before  an 
eight-knot  breeze.  On  board,  all  was  bustle  and  earnest 
preparation.  The  sailors  were  getting  the  boats  ready  to 
launch  and  {he  marines  were  seeing  to  it  that  their 
muskets  and  swords  were  in  the  right  cordition.  There 
was  no  lack  of  eager  candidates  for  the  attacking  force 
among  either  the  officers  or  the  men.  After  consultation 
with  the  captain,  Lieutenant  McKinstry  decided  that  he 
would  take  sixty  seamen  and  the  mme  number  of  marines, 
and  that  the  plan  of  attack  v/ould  be  for  the  former  in 
their  boats  to  make  for  tha  privateer,  while  the  latter 
were  to  endeavor  to  surprise  or,  in  any  event,  to  storm 
Fort  Dunkirk,  a  battery  of  nine  guns  on  tlse  starboard 
side  of  the  harbor.  Assisting  Lieutenant  McKinstry 
were  Lieutenants  Cole  and  Furber,  the  marines  being 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenants  Beatie  and  Boyd. 


I  -5 


WORK  AFTER  PLAY. 


83 


■J:  an 
rnest 
ly  to 
heir 
here 
brce 
tion 
he 
nes, 
r  in 
tter 
orm 
ard 
stry 
ing 


- 


Five  of  the  largest  launches  were  detailed  for  the  ser- 
vice, twenty-five  men  to  go  in  each,  and  as  they  were 
making  ready,  Dick  found  an  opportunity  to  slip  up  to 
Lieutenant  McKinstry  and  ask  in  his  most  pleading 
tone: 

"  May  I  go  with  you,  sir  ?  " 

The  big  officer  looked  down  at  the  little  chap  beside 
him,  and  being  very  much  taken  up  with  the  work  of  get- 
ting ready,  his  first  impulse  was  to  give  a  quick  refusal. 
But  there  was  something  so  eager  and  hopeful  in  the 
boy's  face  that  he  had  not  the  heart  to  disappoint  him, 
and  with  a  brusque :  "  Oh,  you  may  come  along,  I  sup- 
pose, if  you'll  take  good  care  of  yourself,"  he  hastened 
off  to  give  some  further  orders. 

Shortly  after  this  Bulstrode,  who  was  no  less  eager  to 
be  allowed  to  go,  went  up  to  the  lieutenant  when  he  hap- 
pened to  be  a  little  put  out  at  something  that  had  gone 
amiss,  and  preferred  the  same  request  that  Dick  had 
made. 

But  he  had  hardly  spoken  when  Lieutenant  McKinstry 
snapped  him  up  short. 

"No,"  he  said,  with  unmistakable  emphasis.  "I've 
enough  midshipmen  already." 

In  high  ill  humor  Bulstrode  descended  the  gun  room, 
and  just  as  he  entered  he  caught  Dick's  words: 

"  Yes,  I'm  to  go,  Arthur.  Mr.  McKinstry  gave  me 
leave  the  moment  I  asked  him." 

This  was  like  adding  a  handful  of  gunpowder  to  the 
flame  already  burning  in  Bulstrode's  bosom  and,  giving 


ii 


A  I- 


Ml'' 


!>  (: 


mi 


84 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


Dick  a  look  of  jealousy  and  hate,  he  blurted  out  in  a 
sneering  tone ; 

"  It  pays  to  be  a  toady,  doesn't  it  ?  " 

False  and  unjust  as  the  imputation  was,  it  made  Dick*s 
blood  boil,  and  he  was  just  about  to  retort  in  kind  when 
there  flashed  across  his  mind  a  word  of  counsel  his 
mother  had  given  him : 

"  Don't  fight  with  your  tongue,  Dick,  dear,"  she  had 
said.  "  It's  a  two-edged  sword  without  a  hilt  and  is  apt 
to  cut  both  ways." 

With  a  heroic  effort  he  closed  his  lips  again,  and  as 
though  he  had  not  heard,  went  on  talking  to  Tenderly, 
paying  no  heed  to  Bulstrode's  grumbling,  thickly  strewn 
with  profanity,  which  he  kept  up  so  long  as  Dick  re- 
mained in  the  room. 

As  it  was  intended  to  take  the  French  by  surprise,  the 
attack  was  arranged  to  be  made  at  midnight,  and  accord- 
ingly, about  eleven  o'clock  the  boats  set  off  from  the  ship 
with  muffled  oars,  the  seamen  in  one  group  of  four,  and 
the  marines  in  another. 

The  night  was  admirably  suited  for  the  purpose  in 
hand,  being  calm  and  clear  but  without  moonlight.  As 
the  sailors  who  were  to  attempt  the  capture  of  the  priva- 
teer had  to  go  some  three  miles  farther  up  the  harbor 
than  the  marines,  whose  business  it  was  to  prevent  the 
French  soldiers  from  massing  on  Marin  Point  and  thus 
cutting  off  the  return  of  the  seamen,  they  were  allowed  a 
good  head-start  in  order  that  the  assault  upon  the  fort  and 
the  privateer  might  be  as  nearly  as  possible  simultaneous. 


f 


'    If! 


WORK   AFTER  PLAY. 


85 


in 
As 

:iva- 

Irbor 

the 

Ithus 

)d  a 

and 

tons. 


Dick  was  in  the  foremost  boat,  sitting  in  the  stern 
sheets  beside  Lieutenant  McKinstry,  his  heart  beating 
like  a  trip-hammer,  as  with  superb  steadiness  and  in 
almost  absolute  silence  the  launch  slid  through  the 
smooth,  dark  water,  propelled  by  lilelve  oarsmen.  Not 
a  word  was  spoken,  the  lieutenant  holding  the  tiller  tight 
and  peering  earnestly  into  the  mysterioijs  gloom  ahead 
which,  perhaps,  might  at  any  moment  be  lit  up  by  the 
lightning  flash  of  musketry,  or  its  silence  broken  by  the 
roar  of  cannon. 

There  was  no  pilot  on  board  the  boats.  They  had  to 
make  their  way  as  best  they  might  in  the  darkness,  rely- 
ing upon  the  skill  of  their  commander  who,  happily,  had 
some  knowledge  of  the  harbor,  having  been  there  on  a 
previous  occasion. 

He  seemed  as  entirely  at  his  ease  as  though  their 
mission  was  a  pleasant  picnic,  instead  of  a  most  daring 
and  dangerous  undertaking.  Dick  could  just  make  out 
his  face  in  the  uncertain  light,  and  its  manifest  composure 
filled  his  heart  with  admiration. 

"  This  is  feeling  one's  way  in  the  dark,  isn't  it,  Dick  ?  " 
said  he,  as  they  ran  into  the  deep  shadow  made  by  a  pro- 
jecting point  on  the  right  hand  of  their  course.  "  We're 
right  into  the  harbor  now,  and  will  soon  sight  the  priva- 
teer, if  my  calculations  are  correct." 

The  oars  rose  and  fell  with  unfaltering  steadiness, 
although  each  stroke  carried  them  into  graver  peril,  and 
still  the  harbor  was  as  silent  as  if  no  living  being  floated 
upon  its  placid  bosom.    A  few  scattered  lights  glimmered 


'i 


;•, . 


'» 


\ 


'M 


86 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


HI 


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m 


M 


pif :' 


about  the  town,  but  they  revealed  nothing  to  either  friend 
or  foe.  ♦ 

"  Ah  I  there  she  is  1 "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant,  under 
his  breath,  pointing  to  the  right.  "Can  you  see  her, 
Dick  ?  " 

Looking  eagerly  in  the  direction  indicated,  Dick  could 
just  discern,  dimly  outlined  against  the  star-lit  sky,  the 
two  tall  masts  of  the  object  of  their  expedition,  their 
stout  stays  and  heavy  rigging  looking  as  light  as  the  fila- 
ments of  a  spider's  web. 

He  drew  a  deep  breath  at  the  sjght,  and  gathered  him- 
self togetherj  for  he  fully  realized  into  what  danger  they 
were  going. 

"  I  hope  they  won't  see  us,  sir,  until  we're  aboard,"  he 
whispered  back. 

"I  hope  they  won't,  Dick,"  replied  laeutenant  Mc- 
Kinstry,  "  and  I  hope  too,  that  the  marines  are  at  the  fort 
by  this  time." 

That  moment,  as  if  the  whispered  words  had  been  over- 
heard, there  came  a  sharp  challenge  from  the  deck  of 
the  privateer,  to  which  the  boats  vouchsafed  no  answer, 
save  to  quicken  their  pace.  The  next  moment  there  was 
a  flash,  and  the  report  of  a  musket  rudely  broke  the 
stillness. 

"  Give  way,  men ! "  cried  the  lieutenant,  springing  to 
his  feet  and  waving  his  cap  like  a  baton.  "  Give  way, 
my  hearties,  with  all  your  might." 


CHAPTER  VII. 


IN  ACTIVE  SEBVIOB. 


to 


rpHROWINQ  off  all  further  attempt  at  surprise,  the 
J-  seamen  in  the  launches  gave  a  thrilling  cheer  as  the 
rowers  sent  the  heavy  boats  surging  through  still 

water,  in  response  to  which  there  came  a  scattering  volley 
of  musketry  from  the  privateer  as  the  men,  most  of  whom 
had  been  suddenly  aroused  from  their  bunks,  tumbled  up 
on  deck  and  let  fly  without  stopping  to  take  aim. 

Not  a  bullet  touched  the  boats,  although  some  of  those 
on  board  involuntarily  ducked  their  heads  when  the 
leaden  messengers  whistled  by,  while  the  only  notice 
Lieutenant  McKinstry  took  was  to  call  to  his  men  : 

"Give  way  again!  Hit  her  up!  We'll  be  aboard 
them  before  they  can  reload." 

Dick  had  by  this  time  lost  all  sense  of  nervousness,  and 
in  its  place  had  come  a  burning  desire  to  be  one  of  the 
first  to  leap  on  the  deck  of  the  enemy.  Standing  up  in 
the  stern  with  his  cutlass  in  his  right  hand  and  his  pistol 
in  his  left,  he  felt  equal  to  facing  any  foe.  Almost  in  a 
line  the  three  big  boats  swept  on  to  the  attack,  their  oars- 
men springing  from  their  seats  at  every  stroke,  and  mak- 
ing the  stout  ash  blades  bend  like  willow  wands  with  the 
force  of  the  stroke.  They  had  got  within  twenty  yards, 
and  their  commander  was  just  about  congratulating  him- 

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88 


THE   GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


self  upon  escaping  a  second  hail  of  bullets,  when  the  com- 
mand to  fire  was  heard  from  the  privateer,  and  the  next 
moment  the  darkness  was  lit  up  by  a  flash  of  lightning, 
and  a  series  of  sharj)  reports  told  that  the  French  had 
been  more  prompt  in  reloading  than  was  expected. 

Their  aim  this  time  was  better  also,  for  there  came  cries 
of  pain  from  more  than  one  boat,  and  the  lieutenant  felt 
constrained  to  cry  out  in  a  cheering  tone : 

"Never  mind  that,  my  men.  It's  their  last  volley. 
Into  them  now  with  all  your  might.'* 

The  boats  fairly  leaped  through  the  remaining  space, 
and  at  almost  the  same  moment  all  three  crashed  against 
the  side  of  the  "  Harmonic,"  the  men  in  their  bows  spring- 
ing up  and  ov»r  the  bulwarks  with  the  litheness  of 
monkeys,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  crew  to  repel  them. 

The  others  followed  close  upon  their  heels,  and  before 
the  French  could  fairly  realize  it,  they  had  all  obtained  a 
footing  upon  the  deck.  Then  ensued  a  hand-to-hand 
struggle  in  the  darkness  that  was  full  of  thrilling  inci- 
dents. Once  the  assailants  were  fairly  on  board  they  had 
the  advantage  over  the  assaulted,  in  that  the  latter  had 
not  fully  recovered  from  their  surprise  at  the  attack  when 
they  had  thought  themselves  so  secure,  and  despite  the 
gallant  and  determined  efforts  of  their  officers  to  organize 
them  properly,  they  fell  into  hopeless  confusion. 

Nevertheless,  individually  they  fought  with  great 
bravery  and  resolution,  so  much  so  indeed  that  there 
were  moments  when  the  result  of  the  attack  seemed  to  be 
somewhat  in  doubt.    Much  to  Dick's  delight,  in  the  thick 


i 


I 


IN  ACTIVE  SERVIOE. 


89 


of  the  struggle  there  came  an  opportunity  to  justify  the 
lieutenant  in  allowing  him  to  go.  He  had  followed  Mr. 
McKinstry  about  wherever  he  went,  taking  his  part  in  the 
struggle  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  and  presently  he  found 
himself  braced  against  the  butt  of  the  mainmast  while 
the  battle  raged  fiercely  in  front  of  him.  The  lieutenant 
had  just  knocked  over  a  Frenchman  with  a  blow  from 
the  handle  of  his  pistol,  when  a  gigantic  Negro  made  for 
him,  swinging  a  broadsword  in  his  mighty  grip. 

"  Look  out,  sir,"  cried  Dick,  for  the  officer  was  uncon- 
scious of  his  danger,  and  at  the  same  moment  he  sprang 
at  his  assailant  with  uplifted  cutlass,  striking  him  a  sharp 
blow  upon  the  arm  just  below  the  bicep. 

Up  to  this  moment  the  Negro  had  not  seen  Dick,  and 
the  sudden  attack  so  surprised  him  that  he  nearly  dropped 
his  sword,  but  quickly  recovering  himself  he  roared  out  a 
horrid  oath,  and  disdaining  the  midshipman,  made 
another  furious  stroke  at  the  officer. 

By  this  time,  however.  Lieutenant  McKinstry  was  on 
his  guard,  and  tremendous  as  the  blow  was,  he  cleverly 
parried  it  and  the  next  moment  felled  his  opponent  to  the 
deck,  where  he  lay  stunned  and  powerless  for  further 
harm. 

"  Well  done,  my  lad,"  exclaimed  Lieutenant  McKins- 
try. "  You  saved  my  head  that  time  and  I  won't  forget^ 
I  promise  you.  Come  on,  they're  giving  away.  We'll 
soon  have  them  beaten." 

And  ofi*  he  dashed  into  the  midst  of  the  mel^,  cheering 
on  with  his  ringing  cries  of: 


'  i. 


90 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


"  Let  them  have  it,  my  hearties.  Hit  hard  and  quick. 
They  can't  hold  out  much  longer." 

Nor  was  he  mistaken.  Taken  hy  surprise  as  they  had 
been,  and  allowed  no  time  to  recover  their  wits,  the 
defense  made  by  the  crew  of  the  privateer,  while  it  did 
credit  to  their  individual  courage,  could  not  long  avail 
against  the  tremendous  energy  of  the  British,  and  within 
five  minutes  after  the  first  seaman  had  reached  the 
schooner's  deck,  she  was  in  the  complete  possession  of  the 
daring  assailants,  at  the  cost  on  their  part  of  only  one 
man  killed  and  five  wounded. 

By  the  time  the  prisoners,  two  score  in  number,  were 
duly  secured,  and  the  roll  called  to  see  what  had  been  the 
casualties,  the  early  dawn  was  already  dissipating  the 
darkness  of  night,  warning  the  British  that  they  had  not 
a  moment  to  lose  if  they  would  get  their  prize  safely  out 
of  the  harbor. 

Sharp  and  quick  were  the  lieutenant's  orders,  in  obedi- 
ence to  which  the  rowers  resumed  their  places  in  the 
boats,  and  towing  ropes  being  attached  to  the  schooner,  she 
presently  began  to  move  at  good  speed  down  the  harbor 

The  danger  was  not  yet  over  by  any  means,  for  even 
assuming  that  the  marines  had  been  as  successful  in 
storming  Fort  Dunkirk  as  the  sailors  had  been  in  board- 
ing the  privateer,  there  still  remained  Fort  St.  Ann  on 
the  port  side  of  the  harbor  to  be  reckoned  with,  and  as 
they  would  have  to  pass  within  musket  shot  of  it,  a  well 
directed  fire  from  its  guns  might  compel  them  to  retreat 
with  empty  hands  and  perhaps  heavy  losi.. 


IN  ACTIVE  SERVICE. 


91 


i  'I 


i 


**  I*d  like  mightily  to  know  what  they're  up  to  hehind 
those  walls,"  said  the  lieutenant  to  Dick,  as  once  more 
they  sat  together  on  the  stern  of  the  leading  launch. 
"  They  can  blow  us  out  of  the  water,  if  they  know  how  to 
use  their  guns." 

As  Dick  looked  up  at  the  solid  stone  walls  of  Ihe  fort, 
which  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun  were  already  bathing  in 
golden  light,  bringing  out  with  impressive  distinctness  the 
dark  embrasures  where  the  cannon  hid,  he  could  not  help 
a  shudder  of  apprehension  as  the  boats  seemed  to  present 
so  fair  a  mark  for  the  unseen  artillery,  and  they  would 
be  so  helpless  in  event  of  a  cannonade,  encumbered  aa 
they  were  with  the  heavy  schooner. 

"  I  hope  they're  not  good  shots,  sir,"  was  his  response. 
"  They  can  do  us  a  lot  of  harm  if  they  are." 

As  he  spoke  a  flash  leaped  out  from  one  of  the  embra- 
sures, followed  by  a  report  that  made  every  one  in  the 
boats  turn  his  head  to  watch  anxiously  for  the  missile. 
"With  a  shrill  scream  it  flew  high  above  them,  plunging 
into  the  water  fiiU  quarter  of  a  mile  away. 

"  Bah  I "  sneered  Lieutenant  McKinstry ;  "  if  that's  a 
sample  of  their  skill  in  gunnery  we  need  not  feel  alarmed. 
Give  way,  men,  we'll  soon  be  out  of  range." 

Beassured  by  the  result  of  the  first  shot,  the  seamen 
bent  to  their  oars  again,  while  the  fort  blazed  away  at 
them  without  succeeding  in  hitting  them  once,  the  con- 
stant movement  of  the  boats  efiectually  puzzling  the  gun- 
ners who  indeed  seemed  to  be  in  as  great  a  stat€  of  per- 
turbation, judging  from  their  marksmanship,  as  if  they 


92 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


I 


themselves  were  being  attacked.  Finally,  despairing  of 
hitting  the  launches,  they  turned  their  guns  upon  the 
schooner,  no  doubt  with  the  intention  of  rendering  her  a 
valueless  prize  if  they  could  possibly  do  so. 

In  this  they  were  more  successful.  At  all  events  they 
managed  to  hull  her  a  couple  of  times,  and  to  do  some 
damage  to  her  top  hamper,  before  the  boats  could  get 
around  a  point  which  offered  complete  protection  from 
further  injury. 

"  The  miserable  beggars  I "  said  the  lieutenant,  scorn- 
fully. "  They  haven't  the  grace  to  take  their  defeat  like 
men." 

Just  outside  the  harbor  they  were  joined  by  the  other 
boats  which  had  been  sent  to  storm  the  fort.  The  marines 
under  command  of  Lieutenant  Beatie  had  fulfilled  their 
difficult  commission  admirably.  Although  challenged 
and  fired  upon  by  the  sentinels,  and  perfectly  ignorant  of 
the  nature  and  number  of  the  troops  they  had  to  contend 
with,  in  the  most  soldier-like  manner  they  had  pushed 
straight  on  into  the  fort  with  fixed  bayonets  driving  the 
garrison  before  them  like  a  flock  of  sheep,  and  com- 
pelling them  to  cry  for  quarter,  which  was  instantly 
granted. 

No  time  was  lost  in  dismounting  and  spiking  the  guns, 
destroying  the  carriages  and  blowing  up  the  magazine, 
all  of  which  having  been  successfully  accomplished  the 
marines  retired  in  good  order  with  fifteen  prisoners,  and 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  man. 

Captain  Fitewell  was  vastly  pleased  at  the  unqualified 


I 


IN  ACTIVE  SERVICE. 


93 


\ 


euccess  of  the  expedition,  and  distributed  his  hearty  com* 
mendation  with  a  free  hand,  not  forgetting  to  especially 
mention  both  Lieutenant  McKinstry  and  Lieutenant 
Beatie  in  his  account  of  the  afiair  to  the  admiral.  The 
result  certainly  had  been  highly  satisfactory.  By  the 
capture  of  the  "  Harmonic,"  a  fine  schooner,  mounting 
eight  guns  and  carrying  a  crew  of  over  sixty  men,  the 
seas  had  been  rid  of  a  dangerous  enemy  to  British  com- 
merce, and  a  welcome  addition  made  to  the  fleet,  for  after 
some  slight  repairs,  the  swift  privateer  would  be  as  ready 
for  service  as  ever.  Moreover,  the  blow  struck  at  Mar- 
tinique would  be  felt  throughout  the  island,  and  would 
greatly  increase  the  respect  felt  for  British  arms. 

When  Dick's  timely  service  to  the  first  lieutenant 
became  known  in  the  gun  room,  he  was  warmly  congratu- 
lated by  those  whose  admiration  for  a  brave  deed  rose 
above  their  envy  of  a  more  fortunate  companion ;  but 
Bulstrode  only  scowled  more  fiercely  at  him,  and  swore 
more  savagely  at  "  that  miserable  little  whipper-snapper 
of  a  toady,"  as  he  was  pleased  to  call  him.  Dick,  how- 
ever, took  no  notice,  going  blithely  on  his  way  as  usual. 
This  course  of  action,  as  may  be  easily  imagined,  did  not 
by  any  means  diminish  the  other's  ill  humor,  but  on  the 
contrary  served  only  to  add  fuel  to  its  flame. 

Seeing  how  exceedingly  unpopular  Bulstrode  was 
among  his  companions,  it  did  seem  somewhat  strange 
that  he  should  have  been  permitted  to  indulge  his 
malignity  to  the  extent  that  he  was,  and  that  the  other 
midshipmen    did  not  band   together  to  suppress  him 


I  41 


94 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


|!| 


I    I 


That  this  was  not  the  case,  simply  illustrated  the  frailty 
of  our  poor  human  nature. 

In  spite  of  their  admiration  for  his  duuiitless  spirit  and 
appreciation  of  his  attractive  nature,  Dick's  messmates 
could  not  resist  a  certain  feeling  of  jealousy  because  of 
the  manifest  favor  with  which  he  was  regarded  by  the 
senior  officers ;  and  moreover,  while  in  their  hearts  they 
approved  of  his  staunch  devotion  to  principle  and  frank 
confession  of  his  religion,  yet  somehow  or  other  they  found 
a  small  kind  of  satisfaction  in  seeing  him  tormented. 

They  thought  he  occasionally  needed  being  "taken  down 
a  peg,"  lest  he  should  become  *'  too  high  and  mighty," 
and  so  they  were  not  moved  to  take  those  measures 
to  put  an  end  to  Bulstrode's  malicious  activity,  which 
otherwise  they  might  have  done.  They  were  good  enough 
fellows,  notwithstanding.  They  merely  did  not  choose  to 
undertake  any  responsibility  in  the  matter.  Master  Dick 
could  fight  his  own  battles  and  would  be  all  the  better 
for  doing  so. 

Had  Dick  exercised  the  same  reasoning  in  regard  to 
Tenderly,  that  poor  boy  would  have  led  the  most  misera- 
ble of  existences.  He  had  a  hard  enough  time  of  it  as  it 
was,  but  his  lot  was  greatly  mitigated,  no  less  by  Dick's 
friendship  than  by  his  companionship.  At  every  oppor- 
tunity he  took  Tenderly's  part,  even  though  this  some- 
times entailed  getting  into  hot  water  himself,  and  by  his 
ever-ready  sympathy  instilled  fresh  courage  into  the  poor 
lad's  heart  when  he  was  so  utterly  cast  down  as  to  feel 
that  his  life  was  scarcely  worth  living. 


IN   ACTIVE  SERVICE. 


96 


i  I 


The  days  that  followed  the  capture  of  the  "  Harmonie  " 
were  full  of  activity  and  excitemeut  for  those  on  board 
the  "Gryphon."  The  Caribbean  Sea  fairly  swarmed 
with  French  privateers,  the  most  of  them  swift-sailing 
pchooners,  armed  with  from  four  to  twelve  long-range 
guns,  and  manned  by  crews  comprised  of  the  most  des- 
perate characters  afloat, — Negroes,  Maroons,  Spaniards, 
and  Malays, — commanded  by  French  oflScers  as  cruel  and 
greedy  for  gain  as  themselves. 

These  pests  of  the  sea  having  their  rendezvous  at 
Martmique,  Guadeloupe,  San  Domingo,  and  other  islands, 
darted  out  from  their  lairs  like  beasts  of  prey  and 
pounced  upon  unprotected  merchant  vessels  passing  by, 
treating  their  unfortunate  crews  with  shocking  barbarity 
and  destroying  such  portions  of  their  cargoes  as  they 
could  not  dispose  of  to  advantage. 

The  British  fleet  then  in  the  West  Indies,  under  the 
flag  of  Sir  Samuel  Hood,  was  not  composed  of  many 
vessels,  the  majority  of  the  ships  being  required  in 
European  waters  to  keep  watch  over  Napoleon,  wb^'jo 
capabilities  for  mischief  could  never  be  confidently  esti- 
mated. Consequently,  the  vessels  that  were  on  the  West 
Indian  station  had  abundant  work  to  do  in  guarding  the 
islands,  and  at  the  same  time  protecting  commerce.  To 
the  "  Gryphon,"  as  the  best  sailer  in  the  fleet,  the  latter 
duty  was  particularly  assigned,  and  a  lively  time  she  had 
of  it,  sailing  hither  and  thither,  principally  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Martinique,  and  overhauling  every  vessel 
that  looked  at  all  suspicious. 


fi  hi 


III 


i    It 


i 


i 


96 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


Within  a  month  after  the  capture  of  the  "  Harmonic  ** 
three  other  privateers  were  similarly  disposed  of.  The 
first  was  a  small  schooner  that  the  look-out  sighted  about 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  making  slyly  for  Port  Royal, 
having  apparently  just  returned  from  a  cruise.  It  being 
nearly  calm,  the  big  frigate  could  not  get  within  gun  shot ; 
so  a  pinnace  and  a  barge  well  manned  were  dispatched  to 
cut  her  off  before  she  made  the  land. 

Dick  and  Tenderly  climbed  into  the  main-top  to  watch 
the  chase,  which  was  very  exciting.  The  privateer  had 
her  sweeps  out,  and  in  spite  of  the  calm  made  pretty 
good  speed.  But  the  boats  impelled  by  brawny  oarsmen, 
who  put  tlieir  whole  strength  into  every  stroke,  steadily 
gained  upon  her. 

**  Hurrah !  "  cried  Dick,  quivering  with  excitement,  as 
he  grasped  one  of  the  stays  and  leaned  perilously  far  out 
in  his  eagerness  to  miss  nothing.  "  They're  gaining  fast, 
Tliey'll  soon  be  up  to  her.  I  wonder  will  the  privateer 
show  fight?" 

The  last  words  were  hardly  out  of  his  mouth,  when  a 
series  of  flashes  and  a  cloud  of  smoke  springing  from  the 
schooner's  stern  showed  that  her  crew  had  no  idea  of 
being  taken  without  a  struggle,  and  as,  judging  from  the 
report  which  came  across  the  water,  not  only  musketry, 
but  grape  was  being  used,  Dick's  interest  in  the  chase 
began  to  give  way  to  concern  for  his  shipmates. 

"  The  rascals  are  blazing  away  at  them  with  grape,'* 
he  cried,  in  an  indignant  tone,  as  if  it  was  the  greatest 
possible  presumption  on  their  part  to  thus  defend  them- 


IN   ACTIVE   SERVICE. 


07 


selves.  "  If  they  get  the  range  of  the  boats  they'll  kill 
some  of  our  fellows,  sure." 

Neither  grape  nor  musketry,  however,  caused  any 
slackening  of  the  speed  with  which  the  barge  and  pinnace 
ploughed  through  the  water,  and  a  few  minutes  later, 
with  a  thrilling  cheer,  they  dashed  alongside  and  their 
crews  swarmed  over  the  bulwarks.  Once  on  board  they 
had  it  all  their  own  way.  The  privateersmen  threw  down 
their  arms  and  begged  for  quarter,  and  the  rather  inac- 
curately named  "  Fortun^e,"  mounting  two  carriage  guns 
and  carrying  thirty  men,  was  in  the  possession  of  her 
foes,  who  had  not  even  so  much  as  one  man  wounded  in 
the  engagement. 

The  second  capture  proved  a  more  difficult  piece  of 
work,  and  in  this  affair  sub-Lieutenant  Henderson,  the 
best  friend  Dick  had  in  the  gun  room,  particularly  dis- 
tinguished himself,  greatly  to  the  gratification  of  Dick, 
who  longed  for  the  time  when  he  would  be  old  enough  to 
be  put  in  command  of  a  boat  and  sent  off  to  win  glory  on 
his  own  account. 

The  "  Gryphon  "  had  run  down  as  far  south  as  Trini- 
dad, and  was  cruising  about  in  the  vicinity  of  that 
island,  when  a  suspicious  sail  was  sighted  and  immediately 
chased.  As  luck  would  have  it,  just  as  the  frigate  got 
within  four  miles  of  the  schooner  the  wind  dropped,  and 
it  was  necessary  to  continue  the  chase  in  the  boats. 
Three  cutters  were  sent  out,  and  the  one  which  Lieuten- 
ant Henderson  commanded  reached  the  privateer  while 
the  others  were  still  at  some  distance  away. 


I 


98 


TUE   GOOD  SUIP  GRYPHON. 


The  lieutenant  had  only  sixteen  men  in  his  boat,  and  a 
heavy  fire  of  musketry  and  grape  was  coming  from  the 
schooner,  but  nothing  daunted  he  laid  the  cutter  along- 
side and  boarded  the  enemy,  carrying  her  with  a  rush 
that  fairly  bewildered  her  crew,  receiving  a  slight  wound 
himself  in  the  mel6e.  By  the  time  the  other  two  boats 
came  up  there  was  little  left  for  them  to  do,  and  their 
men  were  much  disappointed  at  being  thus  reduced  to  the 
position  of  spectators  of  what  was  certainly  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  feats  of  the  year,  the  prize  being  the  stout 
schooner  "  Le  Resource,"  mounting  four  guns  and  carry- 
ing fifty  men,  which  had  been  a  great  annoyance  to  Brit- 
ish commerce. 

Dick  was  a  good  deal  startled  at  seeing  his  friend  come 
back  with  his  head  bound  up,  a  stray  bullet  having  just 
missed  finding  its  way  into  his  brain.  But,  happily,  there 
was  no  cause  for  concern,  the  wound  being  comparatively 
slight ;  so  slight,  indeed,  that  when  the  prize  crew  to  be 
put  on  board  the  captured  privateer  was  being  made  up, 
Lieutenant  Henderson  claimed  the  honor  of  commanding 
it,  and  was  allowed  to  have  his  own  way. 

As  soon  as  Dick  knew  of  this  he  got  all  in  a  flutter  of 
eagerness  to  accompany  him.  "  Le  Resource  "  was  to  be 
taken  to  Kingston,  there  to  be  fitted  up  for  service  under 
her  new  ownei*s,  and  the  idea  of  going  in  her  was  full  of 
attraction  to  his  adventurous  spirit.  He  lost  no  time  in 
making  known  his  desire  to  Lieutenant  McKinstry,  who 
at  first  did  not  seem  disposed  to  accede. 

"  You'll  run  a  very  good  chance  of  being  taken  your- 


1 


IN    ACTIVE  SERVICE. 


99 


'fj' 


of 
le  in 
who 

our- 


Belf,  my  boy/'  said  he,  in  a  tone  of  kindly  persuasion. 
"  How  would  you  like  the  idea  of  being  a  prisoner  in  the 
hands  of  the  French  for  a  while  ?  " 

"  Not  a  bit,  sir,"  laughed  Dick.  "  But  you  know  some 
midshipman  has  to  be  sent  with  Lieutenant  Henderson, 
and  none  of  the  others  are  particularly  anxious ;  and  if 
you  don't  mind,  sir,  I'd  like  very  much  to  be  allowed." 

The  first  lieutenant  looked  down  into  the  bright,  eager 
face  before  him.  This  was  the  kind  of  spirit  he  delighted 
to  meet  with.  It  was  the  secret  of  England's  supremacy 
of  the  seas,  and  so  long  as  it  failed  not,  so  long  would  the 
sceptre  remain  in  British  hands.  Only  his  reluctance  to 
expose  his  favorite  **  middy  "  to  extra  danger  made  him 
hesitate  about  granting  Dick's  request,  and  when  the  boy, 
bringing  his  hand  to  the  salute,  ventured  to  add  in  his 
most  imploring  tone :  "  Won't  you  please  let  me  go,  sir  ?  " 
it  seemed  to  him  that  he  would  not  be  doing  right  to 
allow  his  personal  feeling  to  decide  the  matter,  so  he 
said : 

"Well,  Dick,  I'll  see  what  the  captain  says.  If  he 
has  no  objection,  I'll  not  stand  in  yoiu:  way." 


:«  ^ 


1 1 


'1 


i: 


I  ^ 


v; 


It: 

h"?.' 


'.N 


!t;M,: 
t 


CHAPTER  Vm. 

OVERCOMING  AND  BEING  OVERCOME. 

ON  Dick's  request  being  laid  before  Captain  Fitewell, 
that  officer  summoned  him  into  his  presence  to  ask 
him  a  few  questions.  Although  he  did  not  take  the  same 
interest  in  the  young  lad  that  the  first  lieutenant  did,  yet 
on  account  of  his  father,  who  had  been  kind  to  him  when 
he  was  his  junior  on  the  same  ship  many  years  before,  he 
felt  well  disposed  toward  Dick,  and  willing  enough  to 
allow  him  any  opportunity  of  making  his  way. 

When  Dick  presented  himself,  the  captain  was  enjoy- 
ing an  after-dinner  glass  of  sherry,  and  his  first  proceed- 
ing was  to  pour  out  another  and  invite  the  boy  to  take  it. 

Dick  reddened  to  the  roots  of  his  hair.  It  had  been 
comparatively  easy  to  refuse  Bulstrode's  coarse  challenge 
the  day  he  tried  to  make  him  drink  his  mother's  health 
in  the  gun  room,  but  to  refuse  the  captain's  invitation  in 
his  own  cabin,  and  in  the  presence  of  several  of  the 
officers,  was  an  entirely  different  matter.  He  was  so  con- 
fused that  he  stood  there,  cap  in  hand,  perfectly  silent, 
and  the  very  picture  of  bewilderment. 

Captain  Fitewell  misunderstood  his  feeling,  and  sup- 
posing that  it  was  simply  bashful ness,  held  out  the  glass 
toward  him,  repeating  the  invitation.  Dick  took  the 
glass  from  his  hand,  but  instead  of  putting  it  to  his  lips, 
100 


OVERCOMING   AND   BEING    OVERCOME. 


101 


I 


PS. 


replaced  it  on  the  table,  murmuring  in  a  scarcely  audible 
voice : 

"  If  you  please,  sir,  I*d  rather  not,  sir." 

Considerably  surprised,  for  in  all  his  experience  of 
midshipmen,  he  had  never  before  known  one  to  refuse  a 
glass  of  wine  in  the  captain's  cabin,  Captain  Fitewell, 
with  a  glance  around  at  the  other  officers  as  though  to 
say,  "  Here's  an  odd  fish  for  you !  "W  hat  do  you  think 
of  this  ?  "  looked  hard  into  Dick's  flushed  face,  as  he  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Not  have  a  glass  of  wine  with  me  I  Pray,  how  is 
that?" 

Never  bad  Dick  felt  himself  to  be  in  so  tight  a  corner 
as  now.  To  explain  his  refusal  might  expose  him  on  the 
one  hand  to  ridicule  for  being  "  tied  to  his  mother's  apron 
strings,"  and  on  the  other,  to  giving  the  impression  that  he 
did  not  drink  wine  because  he  considered  it  wrong,  and 
therefore,  as  a  matter  of  course,  condemned  his  superior 
officers  for  doing  it.  An  awkward  dilemma  for  a  boy  to 
be  placed  in,  certainly,  and  it  is  no  wonder  that  he  stood 
there  embarrassed  and  silent  until  the  captain  was  stirred 
to  say  somewhat  testily  : 

"Well,  my  boy,  what's  the  matter?  Where's  your 
tongue  ?  " 

Realizing  that  he  must  explain  his  action,  Dick  de- 
cided on  the  spur  of  the  moment  to  tell  the  truth  frankly, 
be  the  consequences  what  they  might,  so  bringing  his 
hand  to  the  salute,  he  said  in  a  clear  tone,  audible  to  all 
in  the  cabin : 


■t'li 


liii 


4: 


-11 


■Mi  ■ 


102 


rilK   (iOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


"  I  promised  my  mother  never  to  tiiste  wine,  sir.  She 
was  afraid  I  might  get  too  fond  of  it." 

Captain  Fitewell  looked  him  over  from  head  to  heel, 
and  then  turning  around  to  the  others  said,  as  ho  brought 
bis  right  hand  down  upon  the  table : 

"  Gentlemen,  did  you  hear  that  ?  Dear  old  England 
will  never  want  for  Nelsons  so  long  as  her  sons  have 
stuif  in  them  like  Midshipman  Holland." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  warm  approval  and  assent 
from  the  men  seated  about  the  table,  and  tlie  chaplain, 
who  dearly  loved  his  glass  of  wine,  might  have  been 
observed  to  give  it  a  peculiar  look,  as  though  the  doubt 
had  arisen  in  his  mind  as  to  whether  he  was  doing  just 
right  in  indulging  his  weakness. 

Turning  back  to  Dick,  Captain  Fitewell  went  on : 

"  Your  conduct  does  you  credit,  sir,  and  your  princi- 
ples shall  be  duly  respected.  And  now  as  to  accompany- 
ing Lieutenant  Henderson  on  board  the  prize,  are  you 
very  desirous  of  doing  so  ?  " 

"  With  your  permission,  sir,  I  am,"  responded  Dick. 

"  Well,  Master  Holland,  I  see  no  objection,  provided 
you  promise  to  take  good  care  of  yourself." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,  I'll  do  my  best,  sir,"  answered  Dick, 
bis  countenance  beaming  with  delight ;  and  giving  another 
emphatic  bob,  be  hurried  away  to  tell  the  first  lieutenant 
that  the  captain's  permission  was  obtained. 

As  be  lefl  the  cabin,  Captain  Fitewell  followed  him 
with  a  look  of  unwonted  tenderness  and,  then  addressing 
the  other  officers,  said : 


I 


OVEBCOMING   AND   BKINO   OVERCOME.         103 


"  A  noble  little  fellow  that  I  If  he  does  not  become 
food  for  powder  or  the  fishes,  he'll  be  high  up  on  the 
naval  list  by  the  time  he's  our  age." 

As  gleeful  aa  if  he  had  been  granted  leave  for  a  long 
holiday,  Dick,  having  settled  matters  with  Lieutenant 
McKinstry,  hastened  to  fill  a  canvas  bag  with  such 
things  as  he  wanted  to  take  on  board  the  privateer, 
whistling  merrily  while  he  went  about  it.  He  was  in  the 
midst  of  his  task  when  Bulstrode  came  down,  having 
just  finished  his  watch.  He  was  in  a  particularly  bad 
humor,  one  of  the  other  midshipmen  having  brought  to  him 
an  account  of  the  scene  in  the  cabin  which  he  had  pur- 
posely painted  in  the  strongest  possible  colors,  because  he 
knew  what  gall  and  bitterness  it  would  be  to  the  bully. 

Catching  sight  of  Dick,  Bulstrode  drew  near  and  lean- 
ing against  a  bulkhead,  said  in  the  most  aggravating  tone 
he  could  command : 

"  What  a  good  little  boy  he  is,  to  be  sure  1  Wouldn't 
take  a  glass  of  wine  because  his  mammy  would  rather 
not — the  dear  little  prig.  He  ought  to  be  a  parson,  he 
ought." 

In  too  happy  a  frame  of  mind  to  be  easily  angered, 
Dick  affected  to  take  no  notice  of  the  insolent  fellow,  not 
even  lifting  his  head  to  look  at  him.  Determined  to  stir 
him  up  to  wrath,  Bulstrode  continued  his  monologue, 
growing  coarser  and  coarser  as  his  efibrts  continued 
futile,  until  at  last  his  evil  temper  completely  carrying  him 
away,  he  picked  up  a  dirty  swab  cloth  that  happened  to  be 
near  and  flung  it  fiercely  at  Dick,  snarling  out  as  he  did : 


Kil 


m 


II! 


It 


1 1 


104 


THE  GOOD   SHIP  (jIUYPUON. 


"You  can't  hear  me,  eh?  Well,  perhaps  that  will 
help  you." 

Divining  that  some  missile  was  on  its  way  to  him,  Dick 
threw  up  his  head  to  catch  a  sight  of  it  and  dodge  it. 
But  ho  was  not  quick  enough,  and  the  slimy,  ill-smt'lling 
thing  struck  him  full  in  the  face. 

Stung  to  fury  by  so  abominable  an  insult,  Dick,  obliv- 
ious to  all  considerations  of  prudence,  sprang  at  his  tor- 
mentor like  a  young  tiger,  and  before  tlie  latter  could  get 
on  his  guard,  hit  him  with  his  whole  strength  sciusirely 
between  the  eyes,  sending  him  staggering  backward  half 
a  dozen  paces. 

Uttering  a  horrid  oath,  the  bully  had  gathered  him- 
self together  for  a  charge  upon  his  plucky  little  assailant, 
while  Dick  threw  himself  into  a  posture  of  defense,  when 
Lieutenant  Henderson  suddenly  came  out  from  the  gun 
room  and,  seeing  that  there  was  something  amiss,  de- 
manded an  explanation. 

By  way  of  a  reply,  Dick  picked  up  the  swab  and 
pointed  to  his  face,  upon  which  its  filthy  marks  were 
easily  visible.  Bulstrode,  not  to  be  outdone,  pointed  to 
his  face,  in  the  centre  of  which  a  crimson  contusion  was 
already  revealing  itself. 

The  lieutenant  took  in  the  situation  at  a  glance. 

"  Ah  I  I  understand.  Well,  it  would  seem  that  honons 
are  easy.  Let  that  be  an  end  of  it.  Mr.  Bulstrode,  you 
had  better  look  after  that  bruise  at  once,  or  you'll  have 
an  ugly  pair  of  black  eyes.  Mr.  Holland,  as  soon  as 
your  packing  is  finished,  come  to  me  in  the  gun  room." 


OVERCOMING    AND   BEING   OVERCOME. 


105 


Muttering  threats  of  dire  vengeance,  Bulstrode  took 
himself  off  to  the  surgeon,  while  Dick,  haying  washed 
his  face,  hastily  completed  his  packing  and  reported  to 
Mr.  Henderson,  as  he  had  been  bidden.  When  the  first 
flush  of  passion  had  passed  away,  he  began  to  feel  some- 
what ashamed  of  himself.  To  return  blow  for  blow  was 
not  the  highest  kind  of  conduct,  however  great  the  prov- 
ocation. In  giving  way  to  the  impulse  to  strike  he  had 
lowered  himself  to  Bulstrode's  own  level,  and  even  though 
he  felt  perfectly  confident  that  there  was  no  one  on  board 
the  "Gryphon"  who  on  learning  the  facts  would  not 
applaud  his  action,  still  in  the  depths  of  his  own  heart 
there  was  the  conviction  that  he  really  deserved  condemna- 
tion, not  applause.  So  heavily  did  this  feeling  bear  upon 
his  mind,  that  at  the  first  opportunity  he  made  his  way 
into  the  main-top,  and  there,  with  the  darkness  all  about 
him,  he  looked  up  to  God  and  pleaded  for  pardon. 

Returning  to  the  deck  much  comforted  and  cheered, 
he  met  Lieutenant  Henderson,  who  told  him  to  get  his 
things  together,  as  they  were  going  on  board  the  prize 
that  night.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  later  the  little  prize 
crew,  consisting  of  Lieutenant  Henderson,  Midshipman 
Holland,  and  sixteen  stout  sailors,  bade  "  good-bye "  to 
their  shipmates,  and  took  possession  of  the  privateer  with 
orders  to  lie  by  until  morning,  and  then,  if  the  outlook 
was  favorable,  to  set  sail  for  Kingston. 

Dick  found  it  hard  work  to  get  to  sleep  that  liight. 
The  exciting  events  of  the  evening,  the  novelty  of  his 
present  position,  and  the  thrilling  uncertainty  of  his  im- 


ll 


? 


r 


f  i 


u 


106 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


mediate  future,  combiucd  to  throw  him  into  an  unuHual 
state  of  restlessness,  lie  tossed  and  tumbled  about  in  hi.s 
berth  in  the  stutly  little  cabin  until  lon«^  after  midnight, 
greatly  envying  Lieutenant  Henderson,  who  was  snoring 
away  as  regularly  as  if  he  was  in  iiis  own  place  in  the 
"Gryphon." 

The  following  day  was  fine  and  clear,  and  Lieutenant 
Henderson  having  by  careful  examination  satisfied  him- 
self that  he  had  everything  he  would  require  on  board 
his  charge,  set  all  sail,  and  firing  a  farewell  gun  slipped 
away  before  a  favoring  breeze,  with  Kingston  as  his  des- 
tination. 

"  Le  Resource  "  carried  a  cloud  of  canvas  and  was  a 
good  sailer,  her  sharp  bow  cutting  through  the  water  at 
the  rate  of  eight  knots  an  hour  all  that  day.  A  keen 
lookout  was  carefully  kept  up,  with  the  object  in  the  first 
place  of  sighting  as  soon  as  possible  any  French  men-of- 
war  that  might  be  cruising  around,  in  order  to  get  out  of 
their  way  with  all  practicable  speed,  and  in  the  second 
place  of  getting  hold  of  any  other  prizes  that  should  not 
be  too  big  to  tackle. 

Nothing  however  of  interest  occurred  during  the  first 
day.  From  dawn  until  dark  the  swift  schooner  sped 
steadily  onward,  and  Dick  had  little  else  to  do  than  to 
lounge  about  the  deck  and  sweep  the  broad  expanse  of 
wave-tossed  azure  with  the  glass,  hoping  all  tlie  time  that 
its  monotony  would  be  broken  by  a  speck  of  white. 

During  the  night  he  took  turns  on  wixU'h  with  Lieuten- 
ant Henderson,  and  as  during  his  houi-s  of  duty  be  paced 


OVERCOMING  AND   BEING  OVERCOME. 


107 


the  deck  aloue,  or  exchanged  a  few  words  with  the  man 
at  the  wheel,  he  had  a  novel  sense  of  responsibility,  and 
seemed  to  himself  to  have  suddenly  grown  several  years 
older.  He  felt  an  intense  longing  to  see  his  mother  once 
more,  and  to  have  a  good  long  talk  with  her  about  the 
events  which  crowded  the  days.  For  although  he  kept 
faithfully  his  promise  to  write  to  her  at  least  once  a  week, 
and  she  never  failed  to  do  the  same,  still  letters,  however 
long  and  loving,  made  but  a  poor  substitute  for  speaking 
face  to  face,  and  there  were  many  things  that  did  not  go 
into  his  letters  which  he  would  have  told  her,  could  he 
have  done  it  by  word  of  mouth. 

When  Lieutenant  Henderson  relieved  him,  and  he  went 
below  for  his  turn  in  the  bunk,  he  fell  asleep  to  dream 
about  the  cottage  in  sunny  Kent,  and  to  imagine  himself 
back  there  again,  relating  to  a  deeply  interestt  d  audience, 
composed  of  his  mother  and  the  two  old  servants,  the 
story  of  his  wanderings  and  of  his  many  adventures  afloat 
and  ashore. 

The  dream  was  so  delightful,  that  on  waking  up  to  its 
unreality  a  severe  qualm  of  homesickness  seized  him 
which  brought  the  tears  into  his  eyes  and  made  him  quite 
miserable  for  a  few  moments.  But  he  soon  recovered  his 
composure,  and  hurrying  into  his  uniform  made  his  way 
to  the  deck,  just  in  time  to  catch  the  exciting  announce* 
ment  from  the  look-out  of: 

"  Sail  on  the  weather-bow,  sir." 

At  once  every  eye  was  eagerly  turned  in  the  direction 
indicated,  and  there,  sure  enough,  just  rising  above  the 


liil 


m 


I  :Vi 


I  ii 


;  V, 


i, 


11 

1: 


It 


^1   i\ 


-H      ! 


I 


t!       ! 


108 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


horizon,  was  a  white  speck,  which  presently  the  glasses 
made  out  to  be  the  canvas  of  a  schooner  apparently  of 
the  same  size  as  "  Le  Resource." 

"  Another  of  the  rascals,  as  sure  as  you're  born,"  cried 
Lieutenant  Henderson,  his  face  lighting  up  at  the  pros- 
pect of  an  exciting  chase  and  the  chance  of  effecting  a 
second  capture.  "  We'll  crack  on  all  sail  and  overhaul 
them,  unless  his  vessel  can  show  us  her  heels." 

Although  there  v/as  a  brisk  breeze  blowing,  every 
stitch  of  canvas  the  schooner  could  carry  was  spread  to 
it,  and  she  fairly  staggered  through  the  white-caps,  with 
every  shroud  and  stay  and  sheet  strained  as  tight  as  a 
fiddle-string. 

"  Ah,  ha  I "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant,  rubbing  his  hands 
gleefully.  "  Just  hear  her  speak,  Dick.  Those  Frenchies 
know  something  about  getting  hold  of  fast  schooners,  even 
if  they  don't  know  how  to  keep  them." 

The  little  vessel  certainly  was  "  speaking  "  in  a  very 
audible  way,  as  the  sound  made  by  the  forefoot  rushing 
through  the  water  is  called,  while  the  wind  sang  like  an 
seolian  harp  through  the  taut  weather-rigging. 

"She  does,  indeed,  sir,"  responded  Dick,  who  was 
keenly  enjoying  the  lively  motion  of  the  schooner.  "  We 
ought  to  soon  overhaul  that  sail  at  this  rate." 

"  Unless  they  smell  a  rat  on  board  her  and  make  off 
without  waiting  to  ask  or  answer  any  questions,"  returned 
Lieutenant  Henderson. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  this  was  precisely  what 
those  on  board  the  other  schooner  proposed  to  do.    When 


OVERCOMING   AND  BEING   OVERCOME. 


109 


first  sighted  she  had  been  carrying  only  her  mainsail, 
foresail,  and  jib,  but  presently  the  two  gafT  topsails  and 
the  flying  jib  were  spread,  and  thus  heavily  canvased,  she 
too  tore  away  through  the  seas  at  the  very  top  of  her  speed. 

"  We're  going  to  have  a  long  chase  of  it,  Dick,"  said 
the  lieutenant,  "  but  I  think  we've  got  the  better  ship  of 
the  two  and  that  we're  bound  to  win  in  the  end." 

Through  that  long,  bright  forenoon  the  chase  continued, 
the  French  privateer  resorting  to  every  possible  device  to 
shake  off  her  persistent  pursuer,  but  all  without  avail. 
Neither  the  lieutenant  nor  Dick  left  the  deck  for  a 
moment,  the  former  managing  his  craft  with  wonderful 
skill,  thanks  to  his  somewhat  extensive  experience  in 
yachting,  begun  in  his  boyhood  and  continued  whenever 
being  at  home  on  leave  allowed  him  opportunity. 

"  We're  gaining  steadily,  Dick,"  said  he,  with  a  trium- 
phant note  in  his  voice.  "By  three  o'clock  we'll  be 
within  hail  of  her,  and  then  we'll  let  Johnny  Crapaud 
know  our  business." 

The  estimate  proved  correct.  By  three  o'clock  "Le 
Resource "  was  within  hail  of  the  chase,  and  made  the 
latter  aware  of  that  fact,  in  case  she  did  not  know  already, 
by  yawing  sufficiently  to  bring  one  of  the  bow  guns  to 
bear  upon  her,  whose  iron  missive  went  skipping  past  her 
stern  in  no  very  pleasant  proximity.  At  the  same 
moment  the  British  ensign  flaunted  from  the  peak  and 
Lieutenant  Henderson,  springing  on  to  the  poop  with  a 
big  trumpet  at  his  mouth,  shouted  in  stentorian  tones : 

**  Lie  to  there,  immediately,  or  I'll  give  you  a  broadside." 


it 


it 


in 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THE  TABLES  TURNED. 


1 

i 


INSTEAD  of  complying,  the  French  vessel  kept 
steadily  on  her  way  while  the  British  one  lost  some 
ground  by  the  manoeuvre.  This  angered  Lieutenant 
Henderson,  and  although  he  was  anxious  to  avoid  blood- 
shed if  possible,  still  he  was  even  more  determined  to 
make  the  capture. 

"Those  fools  evidently  don't  consider  discretion  the 
better  part  of  valor,"  said  he,  "  and  I'll  have  to  give 
them  a  lesson." 

Keeping  well  to  windward,  he  pushed  ahead  in  silence 
until  he  was  abreast  of  the  privateer,  in  fact  had  her 
fairly  blanketed.  Then,  without  any  challenge  this  time, 
he  ordered  a  broadside  from  all  four  guns  and  the  small 
arms  likewise  to  be  poured  into  the  silent  vessel,  whose 
crew,  with  the  exception  of  the  man  at  the  wheel,  waa 
e^ddently  crouching  behind  the  low  bulwarks,  or  hiding 
in  the  hold. 

The  splintering  crash  of  shattered  wood  and  the  cries 
of  wounded  men  told  how  true  had  been  the  aim  of  the 
gunners  and  marksmen.  The  man  at  the  wheel  disap- 
peared, and  the  schooner  which  carried  a  weather-helm, 
being  thus  left  to  herself,  came  up  into  the  wind  so  as  to 
run  right  across  the  bows  of  "  Le  Resource."  This  was 
110 


'! 


THE  TABTiES   TURNED. 


Ill 


^ 


precisely  what  Lieutenant  Henderson  wanted.  Letting 
his  vessel  run  off  a  few  points  in  order  to  save  his  bow- 
sprit, lie  brought  her  with  admirable  skill  so  close  astern 
of  the  other  that  the  grappling  irons  caught  at  the  first 
throw,  and  in  another  minute  the  two  schooners  were 
side  by  side. 

"  Now,  ray  hearties !  "  shouted  the  lieutenant.  **  After 
me  I" 

His  men  did  not  need  a  second  command.  With  a 
thrilling  cheer  they  sprang  over  the  bulwarks,  and  swing- 
ing their  cutlasses  on  high,  prepared  to  cut  down  any  one 
who  might  dare  to  oppose  their  advance. 

But  they  found  nobody  on  board  in  that  frame  of 
mind.  Stretched  upon  the  deck,  groaning  with  pain,  were 
some  half-dozen  more  or  less  wounded  sailors,  while  the 
steersman  lay  dead  beside  his  wheel.  Not  another  soul 
was  visible. 

*•  Look  out  for  some  beggarly  trick  I  "  cried  the  lieu- 
tenant, and  directing  four  of  the  men  to  post  themselves 
at  the  fore-hatch  with  pistols  and  cutlasses  ready  for 
instant  action,  he  arranged  the  others  around  the  cabin 
in  a  similar  position.  Then,  pointing  his  own  pistol 
down  the  open  companion-way,  he  called  out  in  most 
commanding  tones : 

"  Ahoy,  below  there  I  Come  up  on  deck  at  once,  or 
I'll  fire  into  you." 

Whether  the  Frenchmen  understood  his  words  or  not, 
they  certainly  did  his  attitude,  for  immediately  there  was 
a  murmur  of  voices  below  and  the  sound  of  movements, 


i 


112 


THE   GOOD   8!riP   (IIIYPHON. 


in 


m  i 


and  then  out  of  the  obscurity  thoro  apptMircd  the  bead  of 
an  officer  quickly  followed  by  tbat  of  another,  and  that 
by  a  common  Bailor's,  until  presently  no  less  than  ten  men 
had  extricated  themselves  from  the  tiny  cabin,  and  stood 
upon  the  deck  unarmed  and  lookint^  ridiculously  sheep- 
ish. 

The  same  process  was  going  on  simultaneously  at  tho 
fore-hatch  whence  five  more  men  had  emerged.  Count- 
ing the  wounded  the  crew  consisted  of  twenty-one  men,  or 
four  more  than  tlieir  captors.  With  the  exception  of  the 
officer  in  command,  and  those  immediately  under  him, 
they  were  such  an  ugly  lot  of  cut-throats  that  Lieutenant 
Henderson,  turning  to  Dick,  said  in  an  undertone : 

"  What  a  villainous  looking  gang  they  are!  It  would 
be  a  good  riddance  to  blow  them  all  up.  They're  only 
fit  for  the  gallows,  anyway." 

One  of  their  number,  who  evidently  understood  Eng- 
lish, overbearing  the  remark,  gave  the  speaker  such  a  look 
of  mingled  terror  and  hatred,  at  the  same  time  laying  his 
hand  on  his  dirk,  that  Dick  involuntarily  shrank  back 
and  grasped  the  lieutenant's  arm,  whispering : 

"  Take  care,  sir,  they  understand  what  you're  saying." 

"  All  the  better  if  they  do,  Dick,"  was  the  laughing 
reply.  "  They'll  have  the  more  respect  for  us  if  they 
know  we  tnke  them  to  be  what  they  really  are." 

On  examination,  the  prize  proved  to  be  the  privateer 
•*  La  Mimi,"  carrying  one  long  eighteen  pound  gun  on  a 
pivot,  and  a  crew  of  twenty-one  men.  Her  captain  was 
evidently  profoundly  chagrined  at  being  taken  by  a 


THE   TAIJLES   TURNED. 


113 


smaller  force  than  he  himself  commanded.  As  he  after- 
ward took  the  trouhlc  to  explain  through  an  interpreter, 
he  had  supposed  tliat  the  English  crew  would  be  not  less 
than  fifty  strong,  and  had  thought  it  better  not  to  show 
figlit  at  all  since  he  could  not  save  himself  by  Hight. 

Once  tiie  excitement  of  the  capture  was  over,  and  it 
became  necessary  to  arrange  for  the  disposition  of  the 
prize.  Lieutenant  Henderson  found  himself  considerably 
nonplussed,  lie  did  not  want  to  destroy  "  La  Mimi," 
for  tliat  meant  a  loss  of  prize  money  and,  moreover,  she 
would  make  an  acceptable  addition  to  the  British  fleet. 
Yet  with  the  small  prize  crew  he  had,  he  did  not  feel  like 
dividing  it  in  two,  as  would  be  inevitable  were  the  prize 
to  be  retained.  Furthermore,  who  was  to  command  the 
other  schooner  ? 

Into  the  midst  of  his  deliberations  broke  Dick  with  a 
proposal  that  at  first  well-nigh  took  his  breath  away. 
The  boy's  quick  wit  had  discerned  his  superior  officer's 
dilemma,  and  fearful  lest  he  should  discover  some  solu- 
tion of  it  other  than  the  one  which  had  taken  possession 
of  his  own  mind,  he  hastened  to  suggest  that  a  prize  crew 
be  placed  upon  "  La  Mimi,"  and  that  he,  Master  Richard 
Holland,  be  given  the  command  of  it. 

"  You  delightful  little  bantam-cock,"  cried  the  lieuten- 
ant, holding  him  off  at  arm's  length,  as  though  to  exam- 
ine his  fighting  points.  "  For  sublime  self-confidence, 
you  certainly  are  unique.  Fifteen  years  of  age,  five  feet 
liigh,  one  year  at  sea,  and  calmly  proposing  to  take  com- 
mand of  a  ship  I    Hi  there !  Taffrail,"  raising  his  voice 

u 


I'll 


I 
'  i' 


:       t 


114 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


m:  ■ 


<t 


and  beckoning  to  the  burly  boatswain,  who  was  a  little 
distance  off,  "steer  this  way  a  moment,  if  you  please." 
Then,  as  the  seaman  drew  near  with  a  respectful  bob,  he 
added:  "What  do  you  think  of  this,  Taffrail?"  and 
proceeded  to  tell  him  how  matters  stood,  while  Dick,  in 
considerable  uncertainty  as  to  whether  the  lieutenant  was 
just  making  game  of  him,  or  would  seriously  consider 
his  suggestion,  fell  back  a  step,  blushing  furiously,  and 
eyeing  the  boatswain  somewhat  anxiously  in  order  to  see 
how  he  took  it. 

Vastly  to  his  relief,  the  grizzled  veteran  seemed  to  be 
quite  favorably  impressed  with  the  idea. 

"  If  I  may  be  so  bold,  sir,"  said  he,  giving  his  scanty 
forelock  a  sharp  tug  as  though  he  would  pull  it  out  by 
the  root,  "as  to  have  my  say,  I'm  thinking  that  Mr. 
Holland's  notion  is  a  werry  good  one;  and  if  you  think," 
here  he  dropped  his  voice  to  a  hoarse  whisper,  lest  Dick 
should  overhear  him  and  have  his  feelings  touched,  "  as 
he's  too  young,  sir,  to  take  charge  of  the  schooner,  you 
might  maybe  send  me  along  too,  and  I'll  do  the  best  I 
can  to  help  get  her  safe  to  Kingston." 

The  fact  of  the  matter  was  old  Taffrail  had  a  great 
liking  for  Dick,  whose  cheery  spirit  and  constant  courtesy 
had  indeed  made  all  the  sailor?  his  friends ;  and,  quite 
appreciating  the  situation,  he  was  anxious  for  the  enter- 
prising boy  to  have  the  chance  he  sought  to  show  what 
he  could  do  on  his  own  hook. 

Lieutenant  Henderson,  despite  his  good-humored  rail- 
lery, had  felt  favorably  disposed  toward  the  plan  from 


tt 


as 


i 


THE  TABLES  TURNED. 


115 


the  first,  but  the  sending  of  the  boatswain  along  with 
Dick  had  not  occurred  to  him.  When  it  was  suggested, 
it  quite  cleared  the  way,  and  he  no  longer  hesitated. 

"  Well,  Dick,"  said  he,  in  a  very  different  tone  from 
the  bantering  one  in  which  he  had  last  addressed  him, 
"  Taffrail,  you  see,  thinks  your  idea  not  a  bad  one,  at  all , 
and,  in  fact,  is  quite  willing  to  risk  his  precious  self  undei 
your  command.  So  I'll  think  the  matter  over  carefully, 
and  see  how  it  can  be  carried  out." 

Highly  elated,  Dick  went  off,  whistling  merrily,  while 
the  lieutenant  and  boatswain  consulted  together,  with  the 
result  that  the  following  arrangement  was  decided  upon: 
The  prisoners  would  be  divided,  twelve  being  taken  on 
board  "  Le  Resource,"  and  nine  left  on  "  La  Mimi,"  all 
except  the  wounded  being  securely  ironed.  Then,  of  the 
prize  crew,  seven,  including  Taffrail,  would  go  with  Dick, 
and  nine  would  remain  with  Lieutenant  Henderson. 

The  two  vessels  would  keep  as  close  company  as  pos- 
sible, "  Le  Resource "  leading,  and  all  haste  would  be 
made  for  Kingston,  which  ought  to  be  reached  within 
two  davs  more  at  the  farthest. 

This  plan  proved  satisfactory  to  everybody,  and  was 
carried  out  so  promptly,  that  before  the  night  fell  the 
two  schooners  were  bowling  merrily  along  together  toward 
Kingston  with  a  beam  wind,  the  prisoners  safely  bestowed 
in  their  holds,  and  everybody  else  on  board  in  high  good 
humor  at  the  prospect  of  pocketing  a  nice  little  sum  of 
prize  money,  for  the  admiralty  paid  good  rewards  for  the 
capture  of  privateers. 


I: 


^1 .'  ■• 


ii.; 


H 


■[» 


Wi 


t  ' 


ii      1 


■■m 


116 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


i€!i; 


Dick  could  hardly  contain  himself  for  pride  and 
I'leasure  as  he  paced  the  after-deck  in  all  the  dignity 
of  his  position,  ever  and  anon  casting  scrutinizing  glances 
at  the  sails  to  make  sure  that  they  were  drawing  properly, 
and  feeling  sorely  tempted  to  suggest  some  slight  alter- 
ation in  the  course  being  sailed  just  to  show  his  authority; 
but  restraining  himself  therefrom  lest,  perchance,  he 
should  say  the  wrong  thing,  and  thereby  expose  himself 
to  the  disapproval  of  old  Taffrail,  whose  good  opinion  he 
was  most  anxious  to  conserve. 

So  deeply  did  he  feel  his  responsibility  that  he  was 
loth  to  leave  the  deck,  and  kept  his  place  there  until  the 
boatswain  respectfully  hinted  that  he  would  take  the  first 
watch,  and  that  Dick,  therefore,  might  as  well  turn  in. 
The  latter's  first  impulse  was  to  resent  the  suggestion, 
and  to  indicate  to  the  sailor  that  he  would  judge  for  him- 
self in  the  matter.  On  second  thought,  he  took  the 
wiser  course,  saying : 

"  All  right,  Taffi-ail,  I'll  go  below  and  leave  you  in 
charge.    Call  me  at  eight  bells,  will  you  ?  " 

Then,  feeling  much  more  at  ease  with  himself  than  if 
he  had  yielded  to  the  weakness,  he  went  down  into  the 
cabin  and  turned  into  one  of  the  berths,  which  he  found 
a  good  deal  more  stuffy  than  his  hammock  on  the  "  Gry- 
phon," but  where  he  soon  fell  sound  asleep  nevertheless. 

When  the  boatswain,  according  to  directions,  aroused 
him  at  midnight,  he  found  it  hard  to  turn  out.  But  he 
wtis  careful  not  to  say  so,  and  the  old  sailor  having  dis- 
appeared for  his  snooze,  Dick  took  his  place  on  deck. 


THE  TABLES  TUBNED. 


117 


the 

in 

if 
:he 
iud 

ss. 

ed 

he 

■lis- 


The  night  was  a  glorious  one.  Although  there  was  no 
moon,  the  stars  shone  with  such  splendor  as  to  make  good 
amends  for  her  absence.  A  steady  breeze  blew  from  the 
southeast,  the  harbinger  maybe  of  dirty  weather  ahead, 
but  very  pleasant  while  it  lasted,  and  the  two  schooners 
with  mainsail,  foresail,  jib  and  flying  jib,  and  gaff  topsails 
spread  to  make  the  most  of  it,  cut  their  way  through  the 
waves,  lying  over  at  every  puff*  until  the  water  came 
rushing  in  through  the  lee  scuppers. 

"  Le  Resource  "  burned  a  bright  light  astern  for  the 
guidance  of  "  La  Mimi,"  but  it  was  hardly  necessary,  so 
easily  visible  was  she  through  the  semi-obscurity;  and 
the  two  vessels  being  well  matched  in  point  of  speed, 
had  no  difficulty  in  keeping  near  together. 

"  I  wish  mother  could  only  see  me  now,"  soliloquized 
Dick,  as  he  stood  by  the  wheel,  and  looked  along  the 
deck,  and  up  at  the  swelling  sails.  "  V/on't  she  feel 
proud  when  she  gets  my  letter  telling  her  that  I've  been 
in  command  of  a  ship  already;  for,  even  though  it's 
only  a  small  schooner,  still  I'm  in  command  all  the 
same."  Then  came  another  thought,  which  brought  ii 
smile  to  his  face :  "  And  I  wonder  how  Bulstrode  will 
like  it  when  he  hears  it.  The  great  hulking  bully  that 
he  is!  I  just  wish  he'd  leave  me  alone.  I'm  sure  I  don't 
want  to  have  anything  to  do  with  him.  And  poor  old 
Tenderly  1  wouldn't  he  give  anything  to  be  with  me? 
I'm  mighty  sorry  he  isn't.  He'd  go  anywhere  to  get 
away  from  Bulstrode  and  to  be  with  me." 

With  such  thoughts  occupying  his  mind,  varied  by 


Hill 


t 


M.  I  m 


«■ 


¥ 

1* 

,!U 

J).-, 


11 


[I 


i 


13: 


l"    * 


II- 

111!'- 


118 


THE  GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


conjectures  as  to  the  amount  of  prize  money  that  would 
fall  to  his  sliare,  and  whether  he  would  have  much  time 
at  Kingston,  and  be  able  to  pay  his  kind  friends  there 
another  visit,  Dick  wiiiled  away  the  long  hours  of  his 
watch.  He  was  very  glad  when  his  four  hours  were  up, 
and  the  boatswain  emerged  from  the  cabin  to  relieve 
him. 

"  I  think  I'll  take  another  turn  below,  Taffrail,"  said 
he,  with  a  prodigious  yawn.  "  You  might  have  a  look  at 
the  prisoners,  and  see  how  they're  getting  on." 

During  the  night  the  schooners  left  Porto  Rico,  off 
which  island  they  had  been  sailing,  far  behind,  and  the 
morning  found  them  crossing  Mona  Passage  with  the 
huge  mass  of  San  Domingo  growing  upon  the  horizon 
over  their  starboard  bow.  They  were  now  entering  the 
region  of  greatest  danger,  as  the  French  had  not  yet  been 
driven  out  by  the  blacks,  and  the  port  of  San  Domingo 
was  a  favorite  rendezvous  for  their  frigates  and  privateers. 
There  was  no  other  course  to  be  followed,  however.  They 
must  run  the  gauntlet,  and  take  chances  of  the  result. 

Up  to  midday  no  other  sail  had  broken  the  monotony 
of  tumbled  blue,  the  breeze  continued  strong  from  the 
right  quarter,  and  although  there  were  good  grounds  for 
anxiety  until  the  coast  line  of  San  Domingo  should  dis- 
appear astern,  and  that  of  Jamaica  show  over  the  bows, 
still  everybody  on  board  both  vessels  felt  cheery  and 
hopeful  of  making  Kingston  unmolested. 

But  their  sanguine  reckoning  was  doomed  to  be  pres- 
ently brought  to  naught.    It  was  about  two  o'clock  in  the 


ii 


1  ;i 


THE  TABLES  TURNED. 


119 


i-m 


afternoon  when  the  royals  of  a  large  square-rigged  vessel 
were  made  out  to  windward.  With  keen  concern  they 
were  scanned  by  Lieutenant  Henderson  on  board  "  Le 
Resource,"  and  Bo'sun  TafTrail  on  "  La  Mimi."  Was  the 
new-comer  a  friend  or  a  foe  ?  Steadily  she  grew  upon 
the  horizon,  evidently  having  every  stitch  of  canvas  spread 
and  making  great  speed.  It  soon  became  clear  that  she 
had  sighted  the  schooners,  and  was  in  pursuit.  There 
was  accordingly  nothing  for  the  latter  to  do  but  to  make 
the  utmost  possible  eflforts  to  escape.  Then  began  a  chase 
so  exciting  that  Dick  could  never  afterward  recall  it 
without  a  quickening  of  his  heart  throbs. 

No  device  known  to  sailors  was  left  untried  to  improve 
the  speed  of  the  schooners,  Dick  keeping  a  sharp  eye  on 
the  leader,  and  immediately  imitating  what  was  done  on 
her.  The  sails  were  drenched  with  water,  in  order  to  make 
them  the  better  hold  the  wind.  The  guns  and  their  car- 
riages, together  with  the  greater  part  of  the  ammunition, 
were  cast  overboard,  so  as  to  lighten  the  vessels,  and  a 
couple  of  spare  jibs  found  on  board  were  rigged  out  as 
temporary  studding  sails. 

All  these  things  had  their  good  effect,  the  trim  little 
schooners  responding  to  them  by  manifest  increase  of 
speed  as  promptly  as  though  their  own  masters  were  in 
command.  But  still  the  big  square-rigged  vessel,  now 
easily  recognizable  through  the  glass  as  a  French  frigate 
of  not  less  tlian  twenty  guns,  gained  surely  if  somewhat 
slowly  upon  them. 

"  I'm  afe.ird  we  can't  shake  that  fellow  off,  sir,"  said 


■J 


IT; 


Si 


t  Hi 


Ji 


f 

It 

; 


120 


THE   GOOD   SHIP  GRYPUON. 


I 


I  ,1! 


SI    11 


'I   i 


il  :i  i; 


iilli 


,J      1 


Taffrail  to  Dick,  a  very  glum  look  coming  over  his  hon 
est  weather-beaten  face,  as  he  snapped  the  glass  together 
after  taking  a  long  look  through  it.  "  If  we  could  only 
keep  out  of  his  clutches  until  nightfall,  we  might  get 
away  from  him.  But," — and  the  old  man  gave  a  great 
sigh, — "  he'll  be  right  upon  us  long  before  that." 

Dick  could  not  repress  a  shiver  at  these  words,  the 
truth  of  which  his  own  eyes  confirmed.  The  prospect  of 
being  captured  by  the  French  was  anything  but  uLasing. 
He  had  heard  many  tales  of  the  hardships  endured  by 
those  who  had  been  in  their  power,  and  he  rightly  enough 
conceived  that  to  be  taken  red-handed,  so  to  speak,  in 
possession  of  a  captured  privateer,  with  a  number  of  her 
crew  in  irons  in  the  hold,  was  about  the  worst  situation  in 
which  to  be  found  by  them. 

However,  it  would  not  do  to  put  any  other  than  a  brave 
face  upon  the  matter ;  so  he  replied  to  the  boatswain,  in 
as  steady  a  tone  as  he  could  command. 

"  Right  you  are,  Taffrail,  and  it  '11  be  no  use  our  trying 
to  fight  them  off,  will  it  ?  We'd  only  be  losing  our  lives 
for  nothing." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  use,  sir,"  responded  Taffrail,  shaking  his 
head  mournfully,  for  it  was  strongly  out  of  accord  with 
liis  sturdy  pugnacious  disposition  to  yield  without  a  strug- 
gle. But  he  recognized  the  hopelessness  of  the  situation, 
and  that  it  would  be  sheer  criminal  folly  to  excite  the  ire 
of  their  enemies  by  a  futile  resistance  that  might  cost 
many  lives  on  both  sides. 

In  the  meantime  the  frigate  was  steadily  overhauling 


1 


THE  TABLES  TURNED. 


121 


1:"., 


them,  and  presently  she  yawed  sufficiently  to  allow  one 
of  her  bow-chasers  to  be  fired,  the  shot  skipping  over  the 
waves  in  such  dangerous  proximity  to  the  schooner  that 
Taffrail  exclaimed,  excitedly : 

"Shiver  my  timbers,  but  the  frog-eaters  must  have 
some  good  gunners  aboard." 

As  the  schooner  still  kept  on  her  way,  her  pursuer  sent 
another  shot  after  her.  This  one  was  even  better  aimed ; 
for  it  went  whistling  through  the  rigging,  snapping  a 
number  of  ropes  and  plunging  into  the  sea  fifty  yards  be- 
yond the  little  vessel's  bow. 

There  was  no  mistaking  what  this  meant.  The  next 
iron  missile  would  certainly  come  crashing  aboard,  and 
some  life  would  be  needlessly  lost. 

"  Bring  her  up  into  the  wind,  Taffrail,"  ordered  Dick, 
with  a  big  sob  in  his  voice. 

Looking  as  mournful  as  a  mute  at  a  funeral,  the  boat- 
swain obeyed  ;  and  with  her  sails  flapping  idly,  the  trim 
little  schooner  awaited  the  coming  of  her  deliverer  from 
the  alien  hands  that  had  for  a  brief  time  held  her  in 
bondage. 


I'i     iff 


II 


It 


.i 


u 


it 


t 

Si 


i)l,. 


I 


CHAPTER  X. 


IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY. 


IN  glorious  style  the  frigate  came  sweeping  on  until 
almost  in  a  line  with  the  schooner,  and  a  hundred 
yards  to  windward.  Then  she  too,  went  up  into  the  wind, 
and  as  soon  as  her  headway  stopped  a  boat  was  lowered 
which,  filled  with  luuned  men,  sped  toward  the  motionless 
schooner. 

In  grim  silence  the  prize  crew  awaited  its  arrival. 
They  would  have  dearly  loved  to  fight  to  the  very  last, 
and,  although  those  in  the  boat  outnumbered  tliem  two  to 
one,  had  they  been  their  only  assailants  they  would  have 
done  so ;  but  witli  the  big  guns  of  tlie  frigate  ready  shotted 
to  smash  their  vessel  into  splintei's,  any  resistance  would 
have  been  the  most  utter  folly.  So  they  stood  upon  the 
deck  in  orderly  array,  their  bronzed  countenances  ex- 
pressing their  feelings  with  a  frankness  that  was  hardly 
politic,  to  say  the  least. 

The  moment  the  boat  touched  the  schooner's  side,  a 
dapper  little  officer  in  brilliant  uniform,  and  with  mous- 
tache waxed  as  though  he  was  just  ready  to  show  him- 
self upon  the  boulevards,  sprang  lightly  over  the  bulwark, 
and  with  a  sweeping  bow  called  upon  the  Englishmen  to 
surrender. 

Without  saying  a  word  Dick  handed  him  his  sword, 
122 


r   \ 


IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY. 


123 


and  then,  unable  to  control  the  rush  of  feeling  that  swept 
over  hira  at  this  unfortunate  termination  of  his  enterprise, 
he  turned  away  and  went  toward  the  cabin. 

Appreciating  the  situation  with  the  quick  instinct  of 
his  race,  the  French  officer  gave  an  expressive  shrug 
of  Jiis  epauletted  shoulders,  and  directed  his  men,  who 
were  all  on  board  by  this  time,  to  make  a  thorough  search 
of  the  vessel. 

Great  was  the  joy  of  the  prisoners  in  the  hold  when 
their  rescuers  appeared  among  them,  and  hastened  to 
knock  off  the  hateful  irons.  Many  of  them  wept  like 
cliildren,  and  hugged  the  men  of  the  frigate  with  a 
heartiness  that  would  have  made  the  more  stolid  English- 
men laugh  under  any  other  circumstances.  As  it  was,  they 
were  too  much  engrossed  in  speculating  as  to  what  sort 
of  treatment  they  would  receive  at  the  bands  of  their 
captors  to  appreciate  the  humorousness  of  the  proceeding. 

Dick  comforted  himself  with  the  thought  that,  barring 
the  irons  which  were  absolutely  necessary  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, the  French  prisoners  had  been  well  enough 
treated  by  him,  and  that  therefore  he  and  his  men  had  a 
right  to  expect  similar  treatment  in  return.  Of  course 
he  was  not  in  a  position  to  make  any  other  than  an  un- 
conditional surrender,  and  he  would  have  to  trust  entirely 
to  the  clemency  of  his  enemies  in  whose  power  he  now 
was. 

Another  boat  having  been  signaled  for,  the  prize  crew 
and  their  whilom  prisoners  were  taken  over  to  the  frigate, 
where  the  former  were  received  with   looks  of  intejwe 


M 


U 


I ' 


if 


124 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


!  I 


:';  I  I 


curiosity,  and  the  latter  with  shouts  of  joyous  pride. 
Dick  was  at  once  conducted  to  the  captain's  cabin,  and 
there  found  himself  in  the  presence  of  a  richly  uniformed 
oflScer  of  about  middle-age,  with  a  handsome  kindly 
countenance,  who  regarded  him  with  a  look  of  mingled 
amusement  and  interest  that  certainly  bad  nothing  ter- 
rifying in  it. 

"  Have  I  the  honor  of  addressing  the  officer  in  com- 
mand ?  "  he  asked,  with  a  courteous  inclination  of  his  head. 

Dick  bowed  low  in  reply. 

"  Pardon  me  if  I  venture  to  inquire  the  name  of  the 
ship  to  which  you  belong  ?  "  he  continued,  still  smiling 
pleasantly. 

Dick  gave  him  the  information. 

"  Ah,  the  '  Gryphon,'  Captain  Fitewell.  I  have  heard 
of  them  both.  And  do  you  mind  stating  how  you  came 
to  be  in  possession  of  our  privateer  ?  " 

There  was  something  so  reassuring  about  both  the  man 
and  his  manner  that  Dick's  tongue  became  unloosed,  and 
he  proceeded  to  give  a  frank  and  faithful  account  of  the 
whole  transaction,  the  French  captain  listening  with  good- 
humored  interest. 

"Farbleu !  but  you  are  a  brave  boy,"  he  exclaimed, 
when  Dick  had  finished  his  tale.  "  You  shall  be  treated 
with  all  the  honors  of  war.  Do  me  the  honor  to  be  my 
guest  for  the  present." 

This  reception  was  so  entirely  different  from  what  Dick 
bad  anticipated,  that  the  poor  boy  had  no  small  difficulty 
in  controlling  his  feelings  and  keeping  back  the  tean 


I 
t  "ll 


IN   THE   HANDS  OF  THE   ENEMY. 


125 


In 


that  filled  his  eyes.  He  did  manage  to  restrain  tbem, 
however,  and  to  express  to  the  captain  in  the  best  lan- 
guage he  could  command,  his  gratitude  for  being  so 
courteously  treated.  But  no  sooner  had  he  thus  spoken 
than  there  flashed  into  his  mind  the  thought  that  he  was 
not  the  only  one  to  be  considered.  Good  old  Taflrail  and 
the  men, — how  were  they  being  dealt  with  ?  The  question 
must  be  asked  at  once. 

"If  you  please,  sir,"  said  he,  giving  a  deferential  bob 
of  his  head,  "  what  will  be  done  with  my  men  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  think  ought  to  be  done  ?  "  answered  the 
captain,  with  a  quizzical  smile.  "  Put  them  in  irons  as 
you  did  our  seamen  ?  " 

Dick's  countenance  fell.  For  him  to  be  luxuriating 
in  the  captain's  cabin  while  his  faithful  men  languished 
in  irons  in  some  dark  corner  of  the  hold,  was  not  accord- 
ing to  his  liking  at  all.  Yet  how  could  he  expect  any 
other  arrangement  under  the  circumstances?  Then  a 
happy  thought  struck  him. 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do,  sir,"  he  said,  eagerly.  "  I'll 
get  them  all  to  promise  faithfully  not  to  make  any  attempt 
to  escape,  or  to  give  any  trouble  at  all,  if  you'll  only  not 
have  them  put  in  irons." 

The  captain  laughed. 

"You  want  them  put  on  parole,"  said  he.  "Well,  for 
your  sake,  I'll  allow  it  this  time,  although  it  is  not  usual." 
He  then  gave  orders  for  the  prize  crew  to  be  brought  to 
the  quarter-deck,  where  he  would  speak  to  them,  and 
presently  went  on  deck,  inviting  Dick  to  accompany  him. 


I'     4 


H  J 


I!i 


H 


12(> 


TllK  GOOD  SHIP  OUYPirON. 


II 

W' ' 

F 

1      1 

in 

it 

I 

in'    i 

ii 

i- 


When  the  men  saw  their  young  commander  evidently 
on  sucli  good  terms  witli  the  French  captain,  their  coun- 
tenances, wliich  imd  been  very  dejected,  brightened  up 
considerably ;  and  when  the  latter  made  known  in  a 
short  speech  the  condition  upon  which  Dick  had  secured 
for  them  the  privilege  of  immunity  from  the  dreaded 
irons,  they  could  not  keep  back  a  hearty  cheer.  Mar- 
shalled by  Tafl'rail  they  jointly  and  severally  gave  their 
word  to  make  no  attempt  to  escape,  and  then  were  dis- 
missed with  lightened  hearts  to  make  themselves  at  homo 
as  best  they  could  among  the  other  sailors. 

Had  Dick  been  a  guest  instead  of  a  prisoner  of  war 
upon  the  French  frigate  he  would  have  enjoyed  himself 
exceedingly  well.  There  were  other  officers  besides  the 
captain  who  could  make  a  tolerable  fist  at  the  English 
language,  and  they  showed  a  lively  interest  in  the  mid- 
shipman, asking  him  all  sorts  of  questions  about  his  life 
on  shipboard,  and  what  he  had  seen  since  he  had  been  in 
the  West  Indies. 

These  Dick  answered  readily  enough,  but  when  they 
tried  to  draw  him  out  about  the  size  and  disposition  of 
the  British  fleet  then  in  those  waters,  he  resolutely  refused 
to  commit  himself  They  made  no  attempt  to  force  him, 
but  they  exercised  considerable  ingenuity  in  trying  to 
catch  him  unawares.  But  his  quick  wit  proved  a  match 
for  them  every  time,  and  the  captain's  admiration  was 
greatly  increased  when  he  saw  how  shrewd  and  steadfast 
the  young  officer  was. 

While  all  this  was  taking  place,  "  Le  Resource  had 


IN   TIIK    HANDS   OF   THE   ENEMY. 


127 


i 


n.\ 


been  makini;  irood  lier  escape,  and  the  last  Dick  saw  of 
her  she  wa«  1'  ill  down  on  the  horizon  beyond  all  chance 
of  capture,  iiiit  tlie  French  captain  did  not  seem  to 
mind  thra.  lie  was  apparently  well  content  at  the 
recovery  of  "  La  Mimi,"  and  having  given  orders  for  the 
frigate  to  be  headed  toward  San  Domingo,  went  below  to 
dinner  witli  the  air  of  a  man  who  had  done  a  good  day's 
work,  and  carried  a  comfortable  conscience  in  conse- 
quence. 

It  was  late  the  following  afternoon  when  the  frigate 
made  her  way  into  the  port  of  San  Domingo,  where  "  La 
Mimi "  was  without  delay  put  in  readiness  to  resume  her 
work  of  destruction,  while  the  frigate  joined  the  naval 
force  then  stationed  there  to  protect  the  French  interesid 
which  were  seriously  imperilled  through  the  successful 
operations  of  the  blacks,  who  under  their  leaderf^  Dessa- 
lines  and  Christophe,  were  making  the  country  decidedly 
too  hot  for  European  intruders  upon  their  ancestral 
domains. 

Most  alarming  were  the  reports  that  came  on  board, 
and  Dick  heartily  wished  himself  away  from  the  ill-fated 
island,  which  was  the  theatre  of  such  awful  scenes  of 
cruelty  and  bloodshed.  The  French  had  refused  to  treat 
with  the  Negroes,  who  after  all  were  only  fighting  for  their 
freedom  as  human  beings,  but  hunted  them  with  blood- 
hounds, and  inflicted  the  most  hideous  tortures  upon  any 
who  were  taken  prisoners.  The  consequence  was  that 
they  on  their  part  were  turned  into  avenging  furies,  and 
did  not  fail  when  they  had  opportunity  to  retaliate  in  kind. 


'}  I 


■iH 


I 


M 


!  . 


:i, 

ii 


li 


128 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


The  arrival  of  "  La  Creole,"  that  being  the  name  of 
the  frigate,  with  Dick  on  board,  was  particularly  timely 
for  news  had  been  received  that  the  Negro  army  was  pre- 
paring for  an  attack  upon  the  city,  and  General  Rocham- 
beau,  the  French  commander-in-chief,  at  once  sent  for 
Captain  Bargeaud  to  ascertain  how  many  marines  and 
sailors  he  could  place  at  his  disposal. 

The  following  morning,  one  hundred  men  under  com- 
mand of  the  captain  himself  landed  from  the  frigate. 
Just  before  he  was  leaving.  Captain  Bargeaud  sent  for 
Dick  and  invited  him  to  accompany  him,  not  as  a  com- 
batant but  simply  as  a  spectator,  promising  to  get  him  a 
place  near  the  commander-in-chief,  whence  he  could  see 
all  that  took  place. 

Now  in  his  heart  Dick  thoroughly  sympathized  with 
the  blacks  in  their  struggle  for  freedom,  and  hoped 
that  the  French  would  be  soundly  beaten  and  driven  out 
of  the  island.  He  was  anxious  therefore  to  get  a  glimpse 
of  the  black  army,  and  form  some  idea  as  to  whether 
they  had  any  chance  of  success.  So,  having  been  assured 
that  he  would  not  be  expected  to  fight  except  in  self 
defense,  he  willingly  accepted  the  captain's  invitation, 
and  in  full  uniform,  with  pistols  and  dirk  at  his  side, 
he  accompanied  him  on  shore. 

The  situation  wivs  this.  By  a  series  of  small  successes 
the  blacks  had  driven  the  French  back  upon  the  city,  and 
now  a  decisive  battle  was  to  be  fought  on  the  plain  out- 
side. The  blacks  under  Dessalines  were  in  great  force 
and  in  high  spirits.    The  French  under  Rochambeau 


IN  THE   HANDS   OF   THE   ENEMY. 


129 


were  fewer  in  numbers  and  much  discouraged ;  in  fact 
the  question  of  capitulation  was  already  being  considered 
by  them.  On  the  other  hand,  they  had  an  important 
advantage  as  regards  equipment  and  discipline.  Indeed, 
their  opponents  were  seriously  straitened  for  ammuni- 
tion, and  would  have  to  push  in  to  close  quaiters  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible. 

In  fulfillment  of  his  promise,  Captain  Bargeaud  intro- 
duced Dick  to  one  of  the  general's  aids-de-camp,  and 
bespoke  for  him  a  position  on  the  staif  that  would  enable 
him  to  have  a  good  view  of  the  whole  proceedings. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  a  very  brilliantly  uniformed 
party  that  Dick  presently  found  himself,  and  having 
been  provided  with  a  horse  he  accompanied  them  out  to 
the  field  of  battle,  marvelling  to  himself  at  the  strange 
series  of  events  which  had  brought  him  into  so  unusual 
a  situation,  and  thinking  what  a  lot  he  would  have  to  tell 
his  ship-mates,  if  he  ever  got  safely  back  to  the  dear  old 
"Gryphon,"  and  what  a  long  letter  he  would  have  to 
write  to  his  mother,  if  he  ever  was  within  reach  of  a 
British  post  office  again. 

Very  unwisely,  as  the  sequel  showed,  but  with  char- 
acteristic courage,  General  Rochambeau  had  decided  to 
go  out  to  meet  the  blacks  in  open  field,  relying  upon  the 
superior  arms  and  discipline  of  his  forces  to  effect  an 
easy  conquest  over  the  ill-regulated  and  poorly  equipped 
Negro  army.  Just  beyond  the  city  was  a  large  level 
plain  admirably  suited  for  the  purposes  of  a  military 
review,  and  here  the  French  general  determined  to  deal 


n  I 


I  itSj 


! 


130 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I'-  i 


h 


a  crushing  blow  to  his  opponents  who,  if  not  decisively 
checked,  would  soon  be  investing  the  city  itself. 

Not  far  to  the  north  of  the  city  was  an  eminence  easy 
of  access,  and  upon  this  the  general  took  his  stand.  A 
little  to  one  side,  yet  so  as  to  have  an  unbroken  view  of 
the  whole  action,  Dick  drew  up  his  horse  and  with 
strangely  divided  feelings  awaited  the  issue. 

The  French  had  without  exception  treated  him  so 
kindly  that  he  would  have  been  a  monster  of  ingratitude 
not  to  feel  under  deep  obligations  to  wish  them  success, 
and  moreover  in  a  struggle  between  white  and  black,  it 
seemed  but  natural  to  sympathize  with  those  of  one's  own 
color.  And  yet  there  was  more  than  one  reason  why  he 
should  prefer  to  see  them  defeated. 

They  were  undoubted  intruders  upon  the  island.  The 
blacks  were  only  fighting  for  liberty,  and  still  more 
weighty  reason,  it  was  much  against  British  interests  that 
the  French  should  retain  their  hold  upon  San  Domingo. 
The  great  desire  of  the  British  was  to  drive  them  out  of 
the  "West  Indies  altogether,  and  to  add  Guadeloupe  and 
Martinique  to  the  superb  chain  of  island  jewels  that 
stretched  from  Porto  Rico  to  South  America.  But  were 
the  French  to  succeed  in  establishing  themselves  upon 
San  Domingo,  this  enterprise  would  be  rendered  vastly 
more  difficult,  if  not  altogether  impossible,  for  with  such 
a  coign  of  vantage  they  would  surely  be  able  to  hold 
their  own. 

Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  Dick  felt  that  the  balance 
of  sympathy  was  rightfully  with  the  blacks ;  and,  as  he 


IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY. 


131 


caught  a  glimpse  of  them  moving  down  on  to  the  plain 
from  the  hills  beyond,  he  almost  unconsciously  breathed 
a  prayer  that  they  might  have  the  victory.  He  took  no 
thought  of  how  this  might  affect  himself.  That  matter 
he  left  without  a  question  in  the  hands  of  the  gracious 
Providence  who  had  thus  far  brought  him  through  so 
many  perils  unscathed. 

As  the  blacks  took  up  their  position  upon  the  plain,  it 
was  seen  that  they  far  outnumbered  the  French;  but 
thi3  fact  did  not  give  the  latter  any  concern,  as  they  took 
it  for  granted  that  their  superiority  in  other  respects 
would  more  than  compensate  for  the  deficiency.  Fully 
realizing  the  advantage  of  prompt  action.  General  Roch- 
ambeau  sent  his  vanguard  against  the  blacks  before  they 
had  time  to  effect  a  proper  formation  of  the  plan. 

Amidst  a  whirlwind  of  cheers  and  cries,  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  dashed  across  the  plain  and  flung  themselves 
with  tremendous  force  upon  their  opponent's  front,  which 
gave  way  before  their  impetuous  onset  like  standing 
wheat  before  a  stampede  of  cattle. 

"Bravo!  bravo!"  cried  the  general,  clapping  his 
hands  as  though  he  was  watching  some  brilliant  per- 
formance in  an  opera  house.  "  Is  not  that  magnificent  ? 
Ah,  those  black  scoundrels!  they  cannot  stand  before 
our  brave  fellows.  See  how  they  are  scattered.  The 
battle  is  already  won.  Is  it  not  so.  Monsieur  Holland  ?  " 
turning  excitedly  to  Dick  who,  in  his  eagerness  to  watch 
the  charge  had,  without  knowing  it,  moved  close  to  the 
general's  side. 


r 


!<   'I 


132 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


II 


"  It  looks  like  it,  general,"  replied  Dick,  bringing  hia 
hand  to  the  salute,  and  then  withdrawing  a  little  as  he 
realized  that  he  was  in  too  prominent  a  position. 

The  blacks  certainly  seemed  put  to  rout,  and  the 
French,  eagerly  following  up  their  advantage,  pressed 
forward  in  pursuit  at  a  rate  of  speed  that  soon  had  its 
effect  upon  their  orderly  array  ;  the  men  who  were  slower 
of  foot  finding  it  impossible  to  keep  up  with  their  fleeter 
comrades,  and  falling  behind  until  the  order  of  attack 
had  changed  from  a  solid  body  into  a  disorganized  mob. 

Now,  whether  Dessalines,  the  black  commander-in-chief, 
had  anticipated  something  like  this  and,  with  a  general- 
ship that  did  him  infinite  credit,  laid  his  plans  accord- 
ingly, or  whether  he  simply  took  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunity when  it  presented  itself,  is  not  known.  This 
much,  however,  was  clear :  that  the  rash  conduct  of  his 
opponents  was  not  lost  upon  him.  He  had  double  the 
number  of  men,  and  he  made  use  of  this  numerical  su- 
periority to  permit  the  French  to  pierce  his  centre,  and 
then  bringing  up  his  wings,  he  fairly  encircled  them  with 
his  soldiers,  by  this  time  roused  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
ferocity. 

Dick  shuddered  when  he  saw  this,  and  turned  his  face 
away.  It  seemed  as  though  not  a  single  Frenchman 
could  possibly  get  out  of  that  awful  circle  of  destruction 
alive.  General  Rochambeau,  his  exultant  pride  suddenly 
changed  to  keenest  anxiety,  stormed  and  swore,  and  is- 
sued order  after  order  with  almost  frantic  rapidity.  One 
of  his  aids-de-camp,  in  carrying  out  an  order,  with  superb 


IN  THE   HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY. 


isn 


daring  plunged  right  into  the  circle  of  bloodthirsty 
blacks  and  sabred  his  way  through  them  to  his  imperiled 
countrymen. 

The  struggle  was  terrific  beyond  description,  and  ap- 
palling might  have  been  the  result  had  not  a  strong  re- 
inforcement of  marines  and  sailors  come  up  just  in  the 
nick  of  time.  Hurling  themselves  upon  the  blacks  like 
a  thunderbolt,  they  shattered  their  lines  and  once  more 
threw  them  into  confusion,  allowing  the  encircled  regi- 
ments to  break  their  bonds  and  retire  in  fairly  good  order 
with  many  prisoners,  while  the  blacks  sullenly  withdrew 
to  their  position,  not  without  a  number  of  prisoners  also. 

There  was  no  more  fighting  that  day,  and  both  sides 
looked  forward  to  the  morrow  for  a  more  decisive  re&iilt. 
During  the  night,  General  Rochambeau,  regardless  of  the 
fact  that  many  of  his  own  officers  and  men  were  in  the 
enemy's  hands,  vented  his  rage  for  the  discomfiture  of 
the  day  by  executing  all  his  prisoners  under  circum- 
stances of  peculiar  barbarity.  Some  were  shockingly 
mutilated,  and  allowed  to  die  lingering  deaths;  their 
awful  shrieks  and  groans  being  heard  away  over  in  the 
camp  of  their  countrymen. 

The  consequence  of  this  disgraceful  and  senseless  pro- 
ceeding may  be  readily  imagined.  Infuriated  by  it, 
Dessalines  directed  a  number  of  gibbets  to  be  put  up  on 
the  plain  in  full  view  of  both  armies ;  and  when  the  sun 
rose  the  following  morning,  his  rays  fell  upon  the  swing- 
ing bodies  of  every  French  officer  and  private  who  had 
been  taken  prisoner. 


:i' 


i. 
It 


?  M 


V '  li 


i  ■:. 


■'  ''  %{ 


r' 


ill 


!    : 


r  ■  T  ! 


■  (I 


li     li 


134 


TlIK  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


Nor  was  this  all.  Dessalines'  forces  had  been  materi- 
ally strengthened  during  the  night,  and  before  the  sun 
was  well  up  he  gathered  them  together,  and  came  down 
like  a  whirlwind  upon  the  French  camp.  So  early  an 
attack  was  entirely  unexpected.  Taken  by  surprise,  the 
French  fought  manfully,  but  in  vain.  There  was  no 
resisting  the  impetuosity  of  their  maddened  assailants. 
A  fearful  slaughter  ensued ;  the  blacks  showing  no  quar- 
ter, except  to  those  who  made  no  resistance,  and  were 
taken  prisoners  for  subsequent  torture.  Dick  sought  to 
effect  his  escape  from  the  awful  confusion,  and  had  al- 
most succeeded  when  fa,  huge  Negro  threw  himself  upon 
him  and  bore  him  to  the  ground. 


CHAPTER  XL 


UNDEB  THE  BRITISH  FLAG  AGAIN. 


WISELY  reasoning  that  to  resist  would  be  only  to 
incense  his  captor,  and  cause  him  to  strike  a  bluw 
that  might  perchance  be  fatal,  Dick  kept  perfectly  still ; 
and  the  Negro,  surprised  at  thi  ,  soon  allowed  him  to 
rise,  and  holding  him  by  his  brawny  right  arm,  hurried 
him  to  the  rear,  evidently  vvell  pleased  with  his  prisoner, 
whom  he  judged  by  the  bright  uniform  to  be  a  person  of 
some  consequence. 

Dick  tried  on  the  way  to  make  him  understand  that 
he  was  not  a  Frencli  officer,  but  a  British  midshipman, 
and  therefore  not  an  enemy  but  a  friend.  He  found  that 
the  big  fellow  knew  nothing  of  the  English  language, 
however,  and  feeling  a  good  deal  perturbed  as  to  his  fate 
in  the  hands  of  the  blacks  in  their  present  temper,  he 
prayed  fervently  for  tie  protection  of  Providence  in  bis 
strange  position. 

The  Negro  conducted  him  right  back  to  his  own  camp, 
where  he  handed  him  over  to  a  detachment  of  his  fellows 
who  were  guarding  the  prisoners,  and  to  the  commander 
of  whom  he  said  something  which  was  unintelligible  to 
Dick,  but  which  no  doubt  meant  that  the  boy  was  his 
prisoner  and  to  take  good  care  of  him  and  not  let  him 
escape. 

186 


I 


.^tj 


fc  \\ 


m 


i 


1     ; 


M 


I  V. 


Ii: 


ill 


Ii 


^ 


136 


TlIK   tJ(K)l)   HUH'   OlCYrJION. 


Keenly  rogroitin^jf  that  lie  luul  ever  left  "  La  Creole," 
where  at  least  he  would  have  been  safe  however  the  hattle 
fared,  Diek  IooIumI  around  about  him.  lie  WiU)  one  of 
several  hundred  in  a  similar  eondition.  All  were  <liH- 
armed,  nuuiy  were  wounded,  and  huddliHl  together  in  a 
Bort  of  iiollow  tiiey  were  guanled  by  a  detaehment  ol'tiie 
most  villainouH  h)oking  earieaturea  of  soldiery  he  had 
ever  behehl  in  his  life.  Not  one  of  them  had  a  eoniplote 
uniform,  a  eiuipeau  having  to  sulHee  one,  a  tunic  anoth<?r, 
n  pair  of  striped  trousers  a  third,  while  a  fourth  had  to 
be  content  witi)  a  belt  buckled  over  his  anything  but  pic- 
tures(pie  rags.  Tlieir  weapons  showed  no  less  variety, 
and  as  they  stoixl  al  .)ut  in  attitudes  that  were  intended  to 
be  soldier-like,  but  were  simply  grotescpio  parodies  of 
drill,  they  made  so  ridiculous  a  spectacle  that,  serious  aa 
his  situation  was,  Dick  could  not  help  being  tickled, 
although  he  had  the  discretion  to  conceal  his  amusement 
leat  it  should  give  oflense. 

Meantime,  the  noise  of  battle  was  rapidly  growing 
fainter,  for  the  blacks  were  driving  the  French  before 
them,  nor  did  they  cry  halt  until  they  had  reached  the 
outworks  of  the  citv.  Then,  with  shouts  of  defiance  and 
threats  of  speedy  return  to  storm  the  city  itself,  they 
withdrew  to  their  camp  to  recruit  and  to  prepare  for 
another  assault. 

Back  they  came  over  the  plain,  shouting  and  singing 
and  dancing  in  the  intoxication  of  their  joy  at  so  signal 
a  victory.  They  were  just  in  the  humor  to  commit  any 
atrocity  and,  bethinking  himself  of  what  they  had  done 


i   1 


111 


UNDKK   TIIK    HUITIHII    FLAG   AOATN. 


137 


the  iii^lit  hofore,  Dick  wiis  full  of  approhonnion.  He 
had  triiMl  without  huccohh  to  iniiko  hiinHolf  understood  by 
Boino  of  IiIh  ^uiirdH.  Kitlicr  tlicy  know  nothing  of  En^- 
IIhIi,  or  iUv.y  prot<.Mi(lod  not  to,  and  lio  wius  fain  to  (;ho(>r 
himself  with  the  hope  that  when  I)(!HHalin(>H  and  hi» 
Btalf  returned  tluirc  would  bo  some  one  among  them 
to  whom  he  could  ocpluin  his  being  with  the  French 
army. 

It  was  evident  that  his  fellow-prisoners  entertained  no 
hope  whatever  of  receiving  any  consideration  at  the 
hands  of  their  captors.  Their  own  general  had  set  the 
example  of  remorHcUt^s  cruelty  ami  the  blacks  had 
already  shown  their  promptness  in  imitating  it. 

The  returning  victors  brought  with  them  a  fresh  hutch 
of  prisoners,  who  were  added  to  those  alrea<ly  in  custody, 
and  who  looked  very  pitiful  in  their  wouiuKd  and  be- 
draggled condition.  l*erilous  as  his  own  con<lition  was, 
Dick  almost  forgot  it  in  his  deep  sympathy  for  them. 
Even  if  they  were  his  hereditary  foes,  his  soul  revolted  at 
the  thought  of  their  being  tortured  to  death  by  brutal 
Negroes. 

The  hours  dragged  by  in  harrowing  uncertainty  until 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  when  Dcssalines,  having 
rested  and  feasted  after  his  hard  morning's  work,  thought 
fit  to  amuse  himself  and  his  officers  by  the  inspection  of 
the  trophies  taken.  Orders  were  accordingly  sent  to  the 
prisoners  to  be  brought  before  him  When  Dick  under- 
stood this  his  heart  throbbed  with  hope.  Here  would  be 
his  opportunity.     If  he  could  only  get  the  ear  o  "  the 


;M 


1 1 

I 
■   t' 

;  I' 


«i 


1 

\  ; 

:    11'  i 

i] 

ill 

liUHl 

13S 


Tin:  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


'■'  '  .', 


rlt      !i 


black  commander  for  a  moment,  surely  all  would  bf) 
right. 

He  therefore  took  pains  to  get  as  near  the  head  of  the 
mournful  procession  as  possible,  in  order  that  no  time 
might  be  lost  in  stating  his  case.  Between  two  files  of 
jeering  Negroes,  who  seemed  to  be  impatient  to  begin  the 
work  of  revenge,  the  unhappy  prisoners  were  marched 
into  the  presence  of  their  conqueror  who,  mounted  upon 
a  richly  caparisoned  horse  and  supported  on  either  side 
by  a  brilliant  staff)  regarded  them  with  a  smile  of  sardonic 
satisfaction,  from  time  to  time  pointing  out  some  one  that 
particularly  attracted  his  attention,  and  making  remarks 
which  were  hugely  relished  by  his  satellites. 

Dick  had  his  mind  clearly  made  up  as  to  his  course  of 
action,  and  not  for  a  second  did  he  hesitate  to  carry  it 
out.  Just  as  he  came  opposite  Dessalines,  by  a  sudden 
movement  he  broke  away  from  his  guards  and  darted  up 
to  the  general  who,  fearing  some  attack,  clapped  his  hand 
upon  his  sword,  while  his  staff  closed  in  to  defend  him  if 
need  be. 

But  Dick  had  no  weapon  in  his  hand,  and  all  he 
Bought  to  do  was  to  reach  the  general's  stirrup  and  to  look 
up  pleadingly  into  his  face,  saying : 

"Sir,  I  am  not  a  French  officer.  I  am  a  British 
officer,  and  I  was  a  prisoner  with  the  French  and  your 
soldiers  captured  me." 

Struck  by  the  boy's  appearance,  he  waved  back  the 
officers  who  were  eager  to  thrust  him  away,  and  asked 
him  in  French  what  he  was  saying.    Now  poor  Dick 


UNDER  THE   BRITISH   FLAG   AGAIN. 


139 


knew  nothing  of  French  and  could  only  repeat  his  appeal 
in  English,  \7hich  the  man  who  held  his  life  in  his  hand 
evidently  did  not  understand.  Shaking  his  head  to  indi 
cate  this,  Dessalines  turned  to  his  staff  and  asked  a  ques- 
tion, in  response  to  which  one  of  them  came  forward, 
evidently  proud  of  the  chance  to  distinguish  himself. 
He  was  one  of  those  cosmopolitan  soldiers  of  fortune 
that  are  sure  to  be  found  in  the  thick  of  any  revolutionary 
movement,  and  he  had  an  equal  acquaintance  with 
French,  Spanish,  and  English.  Looking  sharply  into 
Dick's  face,  he  said : 

"  His  Highness  does  not  understand  you.  What  were 
you  saying  to  hira  ?  " 

Dick  once  more  repeated  the  statement  he  had  made, 
whereupon  the  officer  pricked  up  his  ears  and  proceeded  to 
ask  a  number  of  questions  as  to  the  ship  to  which  he 
belonged,  how  he  came  to  be  taken  prisoner  and  to  be  on 
the  field  of  battle,  all  of  which  Dick  answered  promptly 
and  fully. 

His  replies  evidently  produced  a  deep  impression  upon 
his  questioner,  for  approaching  General  Dessalines  he 
held  an  earnest  consultation  with  him,  the  result  of  which 
Dick  awaited  with  keen  anxiety. 

After  a  few  minutes  of  this,  he  turned  again  to  Dick 
and  said,  in  a  not  unpleasant  voice : 

"  His  Highness  is  pleased  to  consider  it  advisable  to 
look  into  what  you  have  stated,  and  you  may  in  the 
meantime  remain  here." 

With  a  hugp  sigh  of  relief,  Dick  feeling  confident  that 


1; 
1.  . 


1 


'I- 

hi'. 


I  >i 


I  I 


140 


THE  GOOD   SHIP   (iRYPHON. 


K  . 


to  guin  time  was  to  improve  his  chances  of  escape,  made 
his  way  to  the  rear  of  the  group  of  officers,  where  he 
had  an  opportunity  to  "pull  himself  together,"  so  to 
speak,  after  the  exciting  events  of  the  day,  while  the 
review  of  the  prisoners  was  being  completed. 

When  it  was  all  over,  the  officer  who  had  questioned 
him  directed  him  to  follow  in  his  wake  as  he  made  his 
way  to  the  general's  tent,  where  a  fuller  inquiry  was  to 
be  held,  and  a  few  minutes  later  Dick  found  himself  once 
more  in  the  presence  of  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
blacks. 

Dessalines  was  a  full-blooded  Negro.  In  fact,  he  had 
been  brought  from  Africa  as  a  slave.  But  when  his 
brothers  in  servitude  rose  in  revolt  against  their  French 
masters,  he  displayed  such  qualities  of  leadeiship  as  to 
quickly  bring  him  to  the  front.  Under  his  command  the 
black  army  won  a  series  of  victories,  of  which  the  crown- 
ing one  was  that  of  the  morning.  He  was  now  practically 
master  of  the  situation,  and  his  former  rulers  had  nothing 
left  but  to  make  the  best  terms  of  capitulation  they  could 
with  him.  Renowned  as  he  was  for  ferocity  no  less  than 
he  was  for  fearlessness,  the  prospects  of  anything  like 
favorable  terms  were  far  from  brilliant,  and  no  one  knew 
this  better  than  General  Rochambeau,  now  driven  to  take 
refuge  behind  the  defenses  of  the  city. 

Brought  face  to  face  with  the  famous  Negro,  Dick  lifted 
up  his  eyes  and  met  squarely,  if  not  boldly,  the  gaze  that 
was  fixed  upon  him.  The  general  was  richly  dressed, 
and  really  looked  very  imposing,  supported  as  he  was  by 


UNDER  THK   BlUTISH   FLAG  AG  A  IN. 


141 


a  numerous  stuflf,  who  evidently  stood  in  considerable  awe 
of  him.  His  countenance  bore  the  stamp  of  energy  and 
determination  to  a  degree  rarely  seen  in  one  of  his  race, 
and  was  not  at  all  unpleasing  when  he  smiled.  Evidently 
he  was  in  high  good  humor,  and  summoning  the  officer 
who  had  previously  been  his  interpreter  to  his  side,  he 
proceeded  to  examine  Dick  with  a  vivacity  and  intelli- 
gence that  gave  evidence  of  no  mean  intellectual  ca- 
pacity. 

Dick  responded  promptly  and  frankly  to  every  inquiry, 
and  had  no  difficulty  in  perceiving  that  he  was  making  a 
favorable  impression  upon  the  man  who  held  his  life  in 
his  hands.  Finally,  his  mind  seeming  to  be  quite  satisfied, 
Dessalines  informed  him,  through  the  interpreting  officer, 
that  he  need  no  longer  consider  himself  a  prisoner,  but 
would  remain  with  the  blacks  until  an  opportunity  offered 
of  putting  him  on  board  one  of  the  British  vessels. 

What  a  bound  of  joy  Dick's  heart  gave  when  he  under- 
stood this,  and  how  fervently  he  gave  thanks  in  his  heart 
to  God  for  so  graciously  protecting  him  I  Not  only  was 
he  to  suffer  no  harm  at  the  hands  of  the  blacks,  but  he 
was  to  be  delivered  from  the  French  also,  and  returned 
to  his  own  people  as  soon  as  possible. 

Overcome  with  gratitude  he  sprang  forward,  and  seizing 
the  general's  hand  shook  it  warmly,  exclaiming : 

"  God  bless  you,  sir !    How  can  I  thank  you  ?  " 

Dessalines  laughed  as  he  released  his  hand,  and  having 
had  Dick's  words  explained  to  him,  said  very  graciously : 

**  The  British  are  my  friends.    I  wish  nothing  but  good 


11 


M 


•  i?    'i 


) 


if" 


F 


K'i 


142 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GllYPHON. 


[if 


'i     : 


!li' 


to  the  Britisli.     You  will  be  treated  like  my  own  son  so 
long  as  you  are  with  us." 

It  was  true  that  the  British  were  the  friends  of  the 
bhicks  in  their  struggle  for  freedom.  They  had  supplied 
them  with  ammunition  on  more  than  one  occasion,  and 
njiglit  have  aH'onlod  them  more  assistance  had  they  not 
been  so  nuich  occupied  taking  care  of  their  own  interests. 

That  evening  Dick  dined  with  the  general  in  state,  and 
as  with  mind  p(>rfectly  at  ease  and  a  splendid  appetite  he 
gave  an  appreciative  attention  to  the  feast,  he  thought  to 
himself : 

"Well,  what  a  wonderful  world  this  isl  This  time 
yesterday  with  the  staff  of  the  French  general  as  a  pris- 
oner of  war,  and  now  with  the  staff  of  the  Negro  general 
as  an  honored  guest.  Won't  Tenderly  open  his  eyes 
when  he  hears  all  about  it,  and  won't  old  Bulstrode  scowl 
at  my  having  such  a  time.  And  mother — my  dear,  pre- 
cious mother — how  will  I  ever  get  the  time  to  tell  her  all 
about  it  ?  Siie  nmst  be  wondering  now  if  I'm  still  alive, 
it  s  so  long  since  I  had  a  chance  to  send  her  a  letter." 

The  feeling  of  security,  after  his  many  vicissitudes,  was 
most  pleasant,  and  he  would  have  been  in  a  quite  happy 
frame  of  mind  but  for  thinking  of  the  unfortunate  French 
prisoners,  and  the  dreadful  fate  that  they  were  perhaps 
already  suffering.  Yet  he  was  powerless  to  help  in  any 
way  whatever,  and  could  do  no  more  than  hope  that 
more  clemency  might  be  shown  them  by  the  blacks  than 
they  had  shown  toward  their  prisoner. 

The  following  morning  General  Dessalines,  now  stronger 


UNDKIl   TIIV:   JJIIITISII    FLAG    AGAIN. 


143 


than  ever,  for  nothing  succeeds  like  success,  gathered  his 
forces  for  a  combined  uttiick  on  the  city,  and,  notwith* 
standing  tlic  very  gallant  defense  made  by  the  French, 
passed  through  the  outer  fortifications  and  broke  down 
the  block  houses,  so  tliat  by  nightfall  the  city  itself  was 
at  his  mercy.  One  more  day's  fighting,  and  the  conquest 
of  the  former  masters  of  the  island  would  be  complete. 

Realizing  this,  General  Rochambeau  opened  negotia- 
tions without  delay.  Had  he  done  this  three  days  earlier 
he  might  have  obtained  some  consideration  from  the 
black  commander-in-chief.  But  his  resistance,  and  the 
cruelty  shown  to  his  prisoners,  had  exasperated  Dessaliues 
to  such  a  pitch  that  he  would  allow  only  ten  days  for  the 
French  to  completely  evacuate  the  place,  and  get  away 
in  ships  as  best  they  could. 

No\/,  including  seamen  and  soldiers,  there  were  nearly 
ten  thousand  people  to  be  thus  removed,  a  task  that 
seemed  quite  impossible  of  accomplishment,  and,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  the  ten  days  passed  without  a  single  vessel 
having  left  the  harbor.  On  the  eleventh  day  Dessalines, 
who  had  all  the  forts  in  his  possession,  sent  word  to 
Rochambeau  that  if  the  vessels  did  not  sail  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  he  would  fire  upon  them  with  red-hot  shot. 

This  message  thoroughly  alarmed  the  French,  who  had 
indeed  been  delaying  in  hope  of  assistance  arriving,  and 
were  putting  forth  every  effort  to  get  away  when,  on  the 
morning  of  the  twelfth  day,  the  British  man-of-war 
"Theseus"  came  into  the  harbor,  having  been  dispatched 
Dv  Commodore  Loring,  in  command  of  the   squadron 


I 


i     !'i 


i:: 


•WH*(" 


144 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GEYPHON. 


u^  n  I 


w  ^ 

i     i 

i 

;  - 

\i  ■ 

n' 

Hi] 

i 

J 

cruising  in  those  waters,  to  see  how  matters  stood,  and  if 
necessary,  intervene  for  the  protection  of  the  conquered. 

Dick  was  in  one  of  the  forts  watching  the  frantic  pre- 
paration of  the  French  for  departure,  and  when  he  saw 
the  "  Theseus  "  bearing  in  under  a  full  press  of  sail,  with  the 
beloved  British  colore  flying  at  her  masthead,  he  sprang 
upon  the  parapet,  and  waving  his  cap  hurrahed  at  the 
top  of  his  voice.  Never  before  had  the  flag  of  dear  old 
England  seemed  so  beautiful  an  object,  and  the  noble 
ship  herself,  cleaving  the  blue  bosom  of  the  harbor,  how 
surpassingly  finer  she  looked  than  any  of  the  French  ves- 
sels whose  decks  were  now  the  scene  of  such  confusion ! 

He  felt  as  if  he  must  get  on  board  mthout  delay,  and 
with  the  permission  of  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  fort, 
at  once  set  off"  in  search  of  General  Dessalines.  Happily 
he  found  him  just  as  he  was  preparing  to  send  one  of  his 
chief  oflicials  off* to  the  "Theseus,"  and  thinking  it  well  to 
make  a  good  impression  at  the  start,  he  very  willingly 
consented  to  Dick's  accompanying  the  officer. 

Then  it  came  about  that  in  half  an  hour  Dick  once 
more  stood  upon  the  well  holy-stoned  oaken  planks  that 
to  him  stood  in  the  place  of  his  native  soil,  and  was  the 
centre  of  a  group  of  sub-lieutenants  and  midshipmen  who 
shook  his  hand,  and  clapped  him  warmly  on  the  back, 
and  deluged  him  with  questions  anent  his  experiences 
among  the  French  and  the  blacks. 

Keenly  did  Master  Richard  enjoy  being  the  centre  of 
such  lively  interest,  and  in  a  merry  fashion  did  his  tongue 
wag  while  Dessalines'  envoy  was  in   close  consultation 


UNDER  THE   BRITISH   FLAG  AGAIN. 


145 


mce 
Ithat 

the 
[who 
jack, 

ices 

of 
|gue 
ItioD 


with  Captain  Bligh  in  the  cabin.  He  made  h'  j  listeners 
laugh  heartily  as  he  detailed  the  different  incidents  of  the 
past  month  in  his  own  graphic  fashion,  and  they  were 
unanimous  in  envying  him  his  adventures,  now  that  he 
had  come  out  of  them  unscathed. 

Presently  Captain  Bligh  came  on  deck,  and  Dick  was 
brought  up  and  introduced  to  him.  The  veteran  sailor, 
who  thought  there  was  nothing  more  admirable  in  the 
world  than  true  British  pluck,  grasped  his  hand  warmly, 
and  retained  it  in  his  firm  grip,  while  he  said  so  that  all 
around  could  hear : 

"  Arrl  "3  you  are  Midshipman  Holland,  of  whom  Gen- 
eral Di  .3s'  representative  speaks  so  highly.  Let  me 
say  to  yo^  now  heartily  welcome  on  board  my  ship  is  any 
one  who  bears  himself  with  so  much  credit  to  the  flag  he 
serves.  You  have  done  honor  to  the  service,  sir,  and  I 
shall  take  pleasure  in  reporting  the  facts  to  your  own 
captain,  so  that  they  may  be  duly  acknowledged." 

Dick  blushed  to  the  roots  of  his  hair  with  pride  and 
pleasure  at  this  hearty  praise,  and  took  pains  to  prove  his 
gratitude  by  speaking  warmly  of  General  Dessalines  and 
his  staff,  and  of  the  kindness  with  which  they  had  treated 
him.  He  also  let  Captain  Bligh  understand  how  critical 
was  the  situation,  and  how  timely  his  arrival  had  been  in 
view  of  Dessalines'  expressed  determination  to  shower 
red-hot  shot  upon  every  French  vessel  remaining  in  the 
harbor  at  sundown. 

When  Captain  Bligh  heard  this,  he  at  once  determined 
to  intervene  in  the  interests  of  humanity ;   and  ordering 


'■I   1 


I?  ■■ 


Ml 


iA 


III  !• 


IS  'i 


4  ;   I 


Jl  I 


146 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


his  gig  to  be  launched,  took  two  of  his  chief  officers  with 
him,  as  he  weut  to  return  in  person  the  call  made  upon 
him  by  the  black  commander's  envoy. 

He  found  Dessalines  hard  to  inove  at  first,  but  he  was 
not  to  be  gainsaid,  and  eventually  succeeded  in  obtaining 
a  three  days'  extension  of  time,  which  enabled  the  unfor- 
tunate French  to  pack  themselves  on  board  the  vessels  in 
some  sort  of  fashion,  and  get  away  from  the  island,  which 
would  never  again  be  subservient  to  their  sway. 

This  happily  accomplished,  the  "  Theseus  "  in  her  turn 
set  sail,  bound  for  Kingston,  Jamaica,  there  to  report  how 
matters  stood  in  San  Domingo  and  to  await  further  orders. 
Dick  hailed  with  delight  the  idea  of  getting  back  to  King- 
ston ;  and  eager  as  he  was  to  see  his  shipmates  again,  and 
to  learn  how  it  had  fared  with  "  Le  Resource,"  he  also 
cherished  the  hope  that  the  "  Gryphon"  would  not  put  in 
an  appearance  for  a  while,  as  he  wanted  to  see  some  more 
of  the  delightful  friends  who  had  treated  him  so  kindly 
before. 

It  is  not  a  long  sail  &om  San  Domingo  to  Jamaica,  and 
in  spite  of  a  strong  sou'wester,  the  "  Theseus  "  made  good 
progress ;  for  she  was  a  steady  ship,  and  Captain  Bligh 
knew  how  to  get  the  utmost  out  of  her.  On  the  way  a 
suspicious  sail  was  sighted,  and  run  down  after  a  three 
hours'  chase,  with  the  result  that  still  another  was  added 
to  the  rapidly  lengthening  list  of  captured  privateers 
which  had  been  fitted  out  at  Guadeloupe  to  wage  war  upon 
British  commerce. 

When  the  prize  crew  was  being  made  up,  Captain 


1 :' ' 


UNDER  THE  BRITISH  FLAG  AGAIN. 


147 


Bligb  sent  for  Dick  and,  more  in  joke  than  in  earnest, 
asked  him  if  he  wanted  to  try  another  trip  in  a  French 
privateer.  But  Dick  politely  declined.  He  had  had 
quite  enough  of  that  sort  of  experience  for  a  while,  and 
was  altog'  ,iier  too  eager  to  get  to  Kingston,  where  a  week 
or  two  on  shore  would  be  much  more  to  his  taste.  So  he 
stayed  by  the  "  Theseus,"  and  on  the  evening  of  the  fol- 
lowing day  had  the  pleasure  of  watching  from  his  favor- 
ite eyrie  in  the  main-top  the  beautiful  panorama  of  King- 
ston Harbor  open  up  before  him,  as  the  big  ship  picked 
her  way  carefully  through  the  intricacies  of  the  channel, 
and  finally  came  to  anchor  just  as  the  shadows  of  night 
enfolded  the  city  and  shut  it  from  his  sight. 


il 


1 1  ■ 


teers 
ipon 


lli 


m 
m 


t  d 


\  t 


kain 


CHAPTER  XII. 

SCENES  OX  SHORE. 

WHEN  Dick  came  on  deck  the  next  morning,  the 
first  thing  he  did  was  to  look  around  for  "  Le  Re- 
source." At  first  he  could  find  nothing  of  her ;  but  pres- 
ently, after  diligent  hunting  with  the  aid  of  a  glass,  he 
made  her  out  lying  at  the  far  end  of  the  mooring  station, 
and  almost  hidden  by  the  bulk  of  a  big  man-of-war. 

Satisfied  upon  this  point,  and  promising  himself  to  pay 
her  a  visit  as  promptly  as  possible,  he  next  gave  his  atten- 
tion to  searching  for  the  "Gryphon."  He  hoped  as 
strongly  that  he  would  not  find  her  as  that  he  would  find 
the  captured  privateer,  and  again  was  his  hope  ftilfiUed. 
The  "  Gryphon  "  evidently  was  not  in  port,  and  he  could 
pretty  confidently  count  upon  obtaining  shore-going  leave 
until  she  turned  up. 

As  soon  as  breakfast  was  dispatched  he  applied  to  Cap- 
tain Bligh  for  permission  to  rejoin  "  Le  Resource,"  which 
being  readily  granted,  he  bade  "  good-bye  "  to  his  friends 
on  the  "  Theseus,"  hailed  one  of  the  boatmen  crowding  at 
the  foot  of  the  gangway,  and  had  himself  rowed  over  to 
the  privateer,  not  forgetting  to  take  worthy  old  Tom  Taf- 
frail  along  also,  whose  release  as  a  prisoner  he  had  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  from  the  French. 

They  reached  the  vessel  just  as  the  men  were  making 
148 


SCENES  ON   SHORE. 


149 


things  ship-shape  for  the  day,  Lieutenant  Henderson  su- 
perintending matters  from  the  poop.  Without  delaying 
to  ask  permission,  Dick  sprang  over  the  low  bulwark, 
with  Taffrail  close  at  his  heels,  and  they  stood  in  the  midst 
of  their  shipmates  before  the  latter  realized  their  arrival. 

The  sensation  their  sudden  appearance  created  was 
certainly  as  profound  as  they  could  have  desired.  Ex- 
claiming :  "  Dick  Holland  !  How  in  the  name  of  all  the 
angels  did  you  get  here  ?  "  Lieutenant  Henderson,  quite 
forgetting  official  dignity,  threw  himself  upon  Dick  and 
gave  him  a  hug  that  almost  squeezed  the  breath  out  of 
him,  while  the  seamen  fairly  mobbed  Taffrail,  wringing 
his  hands  and  clapping  him  on  the  back,  and  dancing 
about  him  like  so  many  school  children. 

"  Bless  my  eyes,  Taffrail,"  cried  the  lieutenant,  as  he 
grasped  the  boatswain's  hand,  "  but  it's  good  to  see  you 
safe  and  sound  again.  We'd  made  up  our  minds  that  you 
and  Master  Dick  would  have  a  taste  of  the  dungeons  at 
Guadeloupe  before  you  got  back.  Come  into  the  cabin, 
and  let  us  have  the  whole  story." 

It  took  the  best  part  of  the  morning  for  the  story  to  be 
told,  and  then  Dick  got  a  chance  to  ask  about  the  "  Gry- 
phon." Much  to  his  satisfaction  he  learned  that  she  was 
not  expected  for  a  week  yet,  and  that  he  would  therefore 
continue  a  member  of  tho  prize-crew  of  "Le  Resource" 
until  the  frigate  appeared.  As  his  duties  in  this  position 
would  be  practically  nil,  he  had  no  hesitation  in  applying 
for  leave  to  go  on  shore  and  to  remain  for  a  few  days,  if 
he  so  desired,   which  Lieutenant    Henderson    at    once 


P 


■'A 
1.1 


k 


ifl 


ill 


1 


I)!: 


t 


i     1^ 

I 


if 


ii 


ii 


J  50 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


granted;  and  he  accordingly  made  preparations  to  go 
that  same  aflernoou. 

He  was  very  eager  to  see  the  Wilsons  again.  Their 
hospitable  mansion  was  like  home  to  h'*m  now,  and  since 
he  could  not  reach  his  mother  to  pour  into  her  ears  the 
story  of  his  achievements  and  ambitions,  he  longed  for 
the  sympathy  and  kindness  of  Mrs.  Wilson,  who  had 
taken  him  into  her  heart  as  though  her  own  blood  ran 
in  his  veins. 

He  took  unusual  pains  with  his  toilet,  and  looked  the 
Very  model  of  a  midshipman  as  he  stepped  into  the  boat 
in  which  he  was  rowed  ashore.  As  it  happened,  the  day 
was  the  first  of  the  Christmas  holidays,  when  the  Negro 
carnival  is  celebrated  ;  and,  as  the  boat  neared  the  land- 
ing, there  grew  louder  upon  Dick  s  ears  the  bray  of  horns 
and  the  rolling  of  drums,  mingled  with  strains  of  barbar- 
ous music,  and  accentuated  by  the  yelling  of  excited  Ne- 
groes. He  had  never  heard  anything  of  the  kind  before, 
and  turned  in  wonder  to  the  steersman  for  an  explanation. 
The  old  sarlor  shrugged  his  shoulders  to  imply  that  it 
was  nothing  new  to  him. 

"The  blackies  are  beginning  their  high  jinks,"  said 
he.  "  They'll  keep  it  up  like  that  for  the  best  part  of  a 
week.  Such  a  precious  lot  of  fools  you  never  saw  in 
your  life." 

His  curiosity  being  aroused,  Dick  asked  a  lot  of  ques- 
tions ;  and  the  more  he  heard,  the  more  he  was  disposed 
to  congratulate  himself  upon  having  chanced  on  shore  in 
time  to  see  such  strange  doings ;  so  that  by  the  time  the 


SCENES   ON  SHORE. 


161 


boat  reached  the  landing,  his  mind  waa  fully  made  up  to 
lose  nothing  of  the  proceedings  that  would  be  worth  see- 
ing. 

The  wharves  were  already  crowded  with  Negroes  of 
both  sexes  and  all  sizes,  dressed  in  the  best  garments 
they  possessed,  and  dancing,  singing,  and  shouting  with 
most  contagious  heartiness.  At  the  one  where  Dick 
landed,  he  at  once  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  just 
such  a  group  of  the  merry-makers  as  has  been  so  graph- 
ically described  by  "Tom  Cringle"  in  his  fascinating 
"  Log." 

It  was  the  butchers'  John  Canoe  party,  and  it  certainly 
more  than  fulfilled  the  expectations  Dick  had  been  led 
trt  form  from  the  statements  of  the  steersman.  The 
leader  of  the  gang  was,  of  course,  the  John  Canoe  or 
Jack  Pudding,  who  may  be  described  as  the  Lord  of 
Misrule  in  the  West  Indian  Negro's  Christmas  festivities. 
He  was,  in  this  instance,  a  light,  active,  young  Creole, 
whose  absence  of  shoes  and  stockings  was  amply  atoned 
for  by  a  superabundance  of  trousers,  and  an  amplitude 
of  blue  velvet  waistcoat  that  would  have  done  credit  to 
a  London  alderman ;  while  on  his  back  was  an  old  blue 
artillery  uniform  coat  bearing  tarnished  epaulets,  and 
having  at  the  wrists  shining  tin  frills  in  lieu  of  lace  that 
tinkled  noisily  with  every  movement  of  the  hands. 
His  head  was  adorned  with  an  enormous  cocked  hat,  to 
which  was  attached  in  front  a  white  mask  having  a  very 
sanctimonious  expression ;  while  another  false  face,  wear- 
ing a  quizzical  grin,  hung  on  behind ;  both  being  over- 


Ill 


'    '■  '■} 


I 


i  1 


152 


TUE   GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


:     ( 


topped  with  a  coarse  wig  made  of  the  hair  of  bullocks' 
tails. 

This  extraordinary  creature  bore  in  one  hand  a  white 
wand,  and  in  the  other  a  dirty  handkerchief;  and  after 
capering  about  in  front  of  Dick,  as  though  to  do  hira 
honor,  he  sprang  upon  the  back  of  a  nondescript  animal 
that  now  advanced,  capering  about  in  the  most  grotesque 
manner  possible.  This  was  a  huge  Negro,  clothed  in  an 
entire  bullock's  hide,  the  whole  of  the  skull  being  re- 
tained, so  that  the  effect  of  the  deep  bass  voice  growling 
through  the  jaws  of  the  beast  was  most  startling.  His 
legs  were  enveloped  in  the  skin  of  the  hind  legs,  while 
the  arms  were  cased  in  that  of  the  fore,  the  hands  pro- 
truding a  little  above  the  hoofs ;  and  as  he  walked,  seem- 
ingly reared  up  on  his  hind  legs,  he  used,  in  order  to 
support  the  weight  of  John  Canoe,  who  had  perched  him- 
self on  his  shoulders  like  a  monkey  or  a  dancing  bear,  a 
strong  staff  with  a  crotched  top  to  it. 

Behind  him  followed  a  kind  of  chorus  numbering  fifty 
or  more  men,  all  gotten  up  in  a  hardly  less  outlandish 
fashion,  and  these  capered  about  in  a  way  that  threatened 
to  tumble  them,  or  somebody  else,  over  the  edge  of  the 
wharf.  The  whole  party  then  made  a  circle  around 
Dick,  singing  a  wild  song,  the  refrain  of  which  seemed 
to  be: 

"  Oh,  Massa  Buccra,  one  macarone,  please !  "  and  the 
steersman  having  translated  this  into  a  request  for  a 
quarter  of  a  dollar,  Dick  promptly  handed  over  a  coin, 
whereupon  John  Canoe  and  his  supporters  went  career- 


SCENES    ON   SHORE. 


153 


3d 

le 
id 
id 

le 

a 

II, 

ir- 


ing  up  the  street,  leaving  the  way  clear  for  Dick  to  pro- 
ceed. 

The  streets  were  crowded  with  people  all  arrayed  in 
their  "  best  bib  and  tucker,"  and  rapid  progress  through 
them  was  out  of  the  question.  But  Dick  was  in  no 
hurry.  He  had  the  whole  day  before  him,  and  granted 
a  day's  leave  and  a  pocket  full  of  silver,  which  he  pos- 
sessed, a  healthy,  hearty  midshipman  is  one  of  the  hap- 
piest and  most  leisurely  mortals  alive.  So,  just  in  the 
spii  t  to  enter  into  the  humor  of  the  thing  to  the  utmost, 
Dick  sauntered  slowly  along,  or  halted  at  some  coign 
of  vantage,  while  the  group  of  merry-makers  passed  him 
by,  his  sharp  eyes  missing  nothing  that  was  worth  seeing. 

All  the  crafts  and  trades  were  represented  in  the  car- 
nival, and  had  their  own  John  Canoes,  horn  blowers,  and 
nondescripts ;  and  the  very  children  had  theirs  also.  But 
the  most  attractive  part  of  the  extraordinary  exhibition 
was  the  "  Set  Girls,"  as  they  were  called.  These  were 
bands  of  girls,  each  containing  from  fifteen  to  thirty, 
that  danced  along  the  streets,  singing  in  excellent  time 
and  tune.  There  were  black  sets  and  brown  sets,  and  set<? 
of  all  the  intermediate  graduations  of  color  and  of  coun- 
tenance. Each  set  was  dressed  precisely  alike,  and  car- 
ried parasols  of  similar  size  and  color,  held  stylishly 
above  their  showy  toques,  or  Madras  handkerchiefs,  all 
of  the  same  pattern,  that  were  deftly  wound  around  their 
heads. 

Many  of  the  girls  were  very  handsome  creatures,  par- 
ticularly those  in  the  brown  set,  and  Dick,  who  had  no 


ir 


It 

|i 

"a 

III 


\^ 


p.' 


f 
f  J; 


t        f 


}    ■ 


i   !^ 


154 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


lack  of  appreciation  of  feminine  charms,  watched  them 
with  great  interest,  wondering  what  they  would  be  like 
in  a  drawing  room,  and  whether  they  had  intelligence  in 
proportion  to  their  beauty. 

"When  they  had  finally  disappeared  down  the  long 
street,  there  was  a  brief  lull  in  the  joyous  uproar,  and 
then  came  a  loud  burst  of  military  music.  Dick,  by 
this  time,  had  reached  the  parade  ground  that  occupied 
the  centre  of  the  city,  and  he  saw  approaching,  through 
a  cloud  of  dust  that  rose  as  high  as  the  housetops,  the 
head  of  a  column  of  troops,  whose  swords  and  bayonets 
glittered  gayly  in  the  glowing  sunshine. 

" Heigh-ho !"  he  exclaimed.  "What  is  this?  Surely 
the  red-coats  don't  join  in  the  carnival  too." 

Turning  to  one  of  the  bystanders,  he  asked  the  mean- 
ing of  the  marshaled  display  that  was  drawing  near,  and 
learned  that  it  was  the  city  volunteer  regiment  marching 
down  to  the  courthouse,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  to 
mount  the  Christmas  guards ;  this  precaution  being  neces- 
sary in  view  of  the  prevailing  drunkenness  and  the  dan- 
ger of  the  Negroes  breaking  out  into  violence  or  pillage. 

The  volunteers  presented  an  excellent  appearance  as 
they  tramped  by  in  good  order,  headed  by  a  tolerable 
band.  Some  of  the  companies  were  composed  entirely 
of  whites,  others  of  browns,  and  others  still  of  "  ivory 
blacks " ;  all,  of  course,  being  free  men,  as  no  slaves 
could  be  permitted  to  bear  arms. 

"  Bravo,  my  boys !  "  shouted  Dick,  clapping  his  hands 
in  token  of  his  admiration. 


SCENES    ON  SHOIIE. 


155 


The  exclamation  attracted  the  attention  of  a  group  of 
mounted  officers ;  and  on  ascertaining  its  source,  they  all 
saluted  the  middy  with  their  swords,  at  some  risk  of  losing 
their  seats. 

Dick  responded  as  gravely  as  if  he  had  been  a  com- 
mander-in-chief and  they  were  passing  before  him  for 
review,  when  the  crowd  observing  the  ij\cident,  regard  'd 
him  with  great  respect,  since  he  had  thus  boen  singled 
out  for  special  honor  by  the  officers. 

By  this  time  the  morning  was  pretty  well  gone,  anu 
Dick  thought  it  time  to  betake  himself  to  Mr.  Wilsons, 
where  he  arrived  just  as  the  family  was  sitting,  (^<,wn  to 
lunch.  The  welcome  he  received  was  as  cordij  1  as  if  he 
had  been  a  long-lost  member  of  the  household,  and  he 
had  a  deeply  interested  circle  of  listeners,  as  he  related 
the  exciting  experiences  which  had  befallen  him  since 
they  saw  him  last. 

"  You  won't  be  long  getting  your  sub-lieutenantcy  if 
you  continue  to  distinguish  yourself  in  this  way,  Hol- 
land," said  Mr.  Wilson,  with  a  smile  of  warm  approval. 

Dick  smiled  radiantly  back  at  hiiii 

"  I  don't  intend  to  miss  any  chance  of  active  service," 
he  replied.  "  It's  not  over-much  fun  being  a  middy,  but 
once  you're  a  sub  you  begin  to  have  a  good  time." 

"Ah!  ha!  the  desire  for  authority.  How  natural  it 
is!  We  all  want  to  be  on  top,  don't  we?"  said  Mr. 
Wilson,  laughingly. 

"  And  quite  right  too,"  broke  in  Miss  Wilson,  coming 
to  Dick's  support.     "  I  wouldn't  give  a  snap  of  my  fin- 


1 

1 

if. 

156 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


LS  S  f 


I-      < 


ger  for  a  man  who  didn't  want  to  get  to  the  front,  and 
I'm  not  afraid  to  prophesy  that  if  Mr.  Holland  lives  to 
be  forty  he'll  be  a  captain  at  least,  and  maybe  an 
admiral." 

This  hearty  expression  of  confidence  in  his  future 
pleased  Dick  immensely,  and  jumping  to  his  feet  he  made 
the  fair  prophetess  a  profound  bow,  saying : 

"  You  do  me  very  great  honor,  Miss  Wilson.  I  will 
promise  you  to  do  my  best  to  fulfill  your  prediction." 

In  half-serious,  half-humorous  conversation  of  this 
kind  the  meal  passed  pleasantly,  and  after  it  was  over 
Mr.  Wilson  proposed  a  ride  into  the  country,  which 
admirably  suited  Dick's  inclinations.  They  set  ofl'  as 
soon  as  the  heat  of  the  day  had  gone  by,  Dick  riding  the 
sturdy  little  grey  which  had  been  his  mount  before,  and 
spent  a  delightful  afternoon  cantering  along  the  shady 
roads  that  led  toward  the  Blue  Mountains. 

Mrs.  Wilson  gave  Dick  a  very  cordial  invitation  to 
spend  the  Christmas  week  with  them  if  he  could  get 
leave,  and  he  returned  to  the  "  Le  Resource  "  that  even- 
ing, promising  to  do  his  best  to  secure  the  necessary  per- 
mission. 

Thanks  to  the  kindly  interest  of  Lieutenant  Hender- 
son in  him,  leave  was  granted  without  difficulty,  and 
rejoicing  in  the  conviction  that  he  was  one  of  the  luck- 
iest youngsters  alive,  Dick  became  for  the  time  being  a 
member  of  the  Wilson  household. 

The  tears  of  joy  filled  his  mother's  eyes  when  she  read 
the  long  loving  letter  that  told  the  doings  of  that  Christ- 


I 


SCENES   ON  SHORE. 


157 


mas  week,  and  she  could  not  resist  the  impulse  to  express 
to  Mra.  Wilson  the  gratitude  she  felt  for  her  kindness  to 
her  son.  The  days  were  fiill  of  delight  to  the  light- 
hearted  boy.  The  cool  of  the  morning  and  of  the  after- 
noon was  given  to  long  rides  or  drives  through  the  beau- 
tiful country  surrounding  Kingston,  and  every  evening 
there  was  a  dinner  or  social  gathering  of  some  kind, 
where  Dick  found  himself  the  recipient  of  abundant 
attention. 

A  boy  of  different  make  might  have  been  spoiled  by 
the  treatment  he  received,  for  boy's  heads  are  all  so 
easily  turned,  and  conceit  is  a  plant  of  rapid  growth  in  a 
congenial  atmosphere. 

But  Dick  was  not  spoiled,  for  the  simple  reason  that 
he  never  wasted  time  which  might  have  been  much  better 
spent  in  thinking  about  himself,  and  in  laying  the  flatter- 
ing unction  to  his  soul  that  this  thing  and  that  were 
done  just  to  please  him,  and  that  he  was  therefore  a  per- 
son of  no  inconsiderable  importance.  He  just  went 
straight  ahead  with  the  matter  in  hand,  whether  it  was 
work  or  play,  not  stopping  to  consider  to  what  particular 
advantage  he  appeared,  and  taking  everything  as  it  came 
in  his  own  cheerful,  sanguine  way. 

The  happy  week  at  the  Wilsons'  had  just  come  to  a 
close,  when  one  morning  Dick,  who  had  gone  down  to  the 
wharves,  observed  among  the  men-of-war  at  their  moor- 
ings a  new  arrival,  the  sight  of  which  made  his  heart 
give  a  great  bound  as  though  it  would  spring  from  its 
place.    It  was  none  other  than  the  dear  old  "  Gryphon," 


'  \i 


I   1 


!      •' 


i 


I 


If 


I 


158 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GIlYPHON. 


in: 


■  t  'ii' 


which  had  come  into  port  at  daybreak  after  a  successful 
cruise  in  quest  of  privateers.  At  once  he  hailed  a  boat- 
man, and  had  himself  rowed  out  to  the  frigate,  where  his 
shipmates  received  him  with  great  enthusiasm,  and  Cap- 
tain Fitewell,  having  received  a  full  account  of  his  con- 
(hict  during  his  absence,  made  him  happy  by  a  warm 
commendation  and  a  flattering  assurance  that  he  was 
very  glad  indeed  to  have  him  back  on  board  in  good 
order  and  condition. 

Tenderley's  demonstrations  of  delight  at  his  friend's 
return  were  a  good  deal  like  those  of  a  dog  restored  to  a 
long-lost  master.  He  fairly  capered  about  for  excess  of 
joy,  and  his  eyes  for  a  time  were  suspiciously  moist. 
The  poor  chap  had  been  putting  in  a  hard  time  during 
Dick's  absence.  Not  only  did  he  miss  him  sorely,  hav- 
ing no  other  companion  to  take  his  place,  but  Bulstrode, 
whether  he  felt  freer  to  exercise  his  cowardly  cruelty 
because  of  Dick's  being  away,  or  sought  to  vent  upon 
Tenderly  the  malice  he  cherished  against  both,  had  lost 
no  opportunity  of  tormenting  him,  and  bad  thus  made 
liis  life  miserable. 

He  came  up  on  deck  while  Dick  and  Tenderly  were 
talking  together  after  the  former's  interview  with  Cap- 
tain Fitewell,  and  his  ugly  face  darkened  with  a  hateful 
scowl  that  made  it  a  strange  contrast  to  their  happy 
countenances. 

Now  that  his  plucky  little  champion  had  returned,  he 
did  not  feel  half  so  much  afraid  of  the  big  bully,  and  as 
the  latter  passed  them  he  held  up  his  head  in  a  way  that 


SCENES   ON  SHORE. 


159 


was  hardly  less  comical  than  it  was  pathetic,  to  any  one 
who  clearly  understood  their  mutual  relations.  The 
change  in  his  bearing,  slight  as  it  was,  did  not  escape  the 
notice  of  Bulstrode,  who  scowled  more  fiercely  than  ever, 
and  with  a  volley  of  oaths,  by  way  of  relieving  his  feel- 
ings, went  on  his  way  muttering  something  to  the  effect 
that  he  wasn't  through  with  those  puppies  yet. 

The  first  lieutenant  was  very  glad  to  see  Dick  again. 

"  We've  quite  missed  you,  my  lad,"  said  he,  as  he  shook 
him  varmly  by  the  hand.  "  As  soon  as  we  can  have  a 
few  minutes  to  ourselves,  you  must  tell  me  all  about 
yourself  and  the  fine  times  you've  been  having." 

The  opportunity  came  after  dinner  that  evening  when, 
neither  of  them  being  on  duty,  Mr.  McKiustry  invited 
Dick  into  his  own  cabin  and  listened  with  deep  interest 
to  all  he  had  to  tell. 

"  I  quite  envy  you  your  experiences,  Dick,"  said  the 
first  lieutenant.  "  You've  been  in  rare  luck,  especially 
seeing  that  you  came  out  of  it  all  right.  And  now  I 
suppose  you'll  find  it  hard  to  -settle  down  to  routine  duty 
on  the  old  ship,  won't  you  ?  " 

"  Oh  I  no,  sir,"  responded  Dick.  "  I'm  very  glad  to  be 
back.  Only  I  do  hope  there'll  be  lots  of  cruising  round, 
and  that  we  won't  be  much  of  the  time  in  port.  It's  fine 
fun  chasing  the  privateers." 

Mr.  McKinstry  smiled  at  the  boy's  enthusiasm,  and 
said  to  him : 

"  We  won't  spend  much  time  in  port  so  long  as  Boney's 
fleet  is  in  the  West  Indies,  and  from  all  accounts  it's  get- 


i 


,1 


t 


160 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


tini^  stronger  every  week.  So  that  we're  likely  to  have 
all  tlie  work  we  can  attend  to  for  some  months  to  come, 
at  any  rate.  Your  experience  will  bo  helpful  to  you. 
But  what  you've  had  is  a  mere  bite  to  what  you'll  get 
Oh,  my  boy,  there's  lots  of  fun  ahead  for  us  all." 


till 


I 


f  I' 

VWi 


■    %: 


L*  '■* 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


M«- 


HUNTING  PRIVATEERC. 

MoKINSTRY'S  expectations  did  not  remain 

long  unfulfilled.  The  very  afternoon  of  the  day 
of  Dick's  return,  orders  came  from  the  admiral  to  have 
the  frigate  put  in  readiness  for  sea  with  the  least  possible 
delay,  and  as  this  meant  work  for  everybody  on  board, 
Dick  had  to  send  a  note  to  the  Wilsons  explaining  the 
situation,  apologizing  for  not  returning  to  bid  them 
"good-bye,"  and  promising  to  report  himself  at  their 
house  as  soon  as  the  "  Gryplion  "  got  back  to  Kingston. 

The  reason  for  this  sudden  ordering  of  the  frigate  to 
sea  again  was  that  intimation  had  been  received  of  the 
fitting  out  of  a  number  of  French  privateers  in  the 
island  of  Cuba,  and  the  "  Gryphon "  being  one  of  the 
best  equipped  and  fastest  sailing  vessels  in  the  fleet,  was 
deputed  to  endeavor  to  intercept  them  before  they  had 
time  to  do  any  damage. 

It  took  the  whole  of  the  next  day  to  get  on  board  the 
stores  and  ammunition  necessary  for  a  long  cruise,  so  that 
it  was  the  morning  of  the  day  after  before  the  good  ship 
hoisted  sail,  and  slipping  out  of  Kingston  harbor  made 
her  way  around  Morent  Point  into  the  broad  stretch  of 
sea  which  separates  the  island  of  Jamaica  from  her 
stately  sister,  the  splendid  island  of  Cuba. 

L  161 


II  U 


i  >l 


fv^ 


■51 

[I 


III 


II' 


102 


THE   GOOD  SUIl»   GUYPHON. 


li  ::r 


From  Captain  Fitewell  down  to  the  youngest  galley 
hoy,  everyhody  on  hoard  shared  in  the  feelings  of  antici- 
pation and  excitement.  There  was  no  knowing  what  the 
near  future  had  in  stort.  The  sea  swarmed  with  French 
vessels,  the  most  of  them  an  easy  prey  for  the  "  Gryphon," 
with  her  heavy  thirty-twos,  it  was  true ;  hut  there  were 
others  of  much  greater  size  and  weight  of  metal,  and  if 
one  of  these  should  be  encountered,  some  stiff  figliluig 
was  certain  to  ensue. 

Now  a  hard-fought  contest  meant  of  course  opportuni- 
ties for  distinguishing  one's  self,  and  for  being  mentioned 
in  the  dispatches,  but  it  also  meant  no  less  the  possibility 
of  being  gashed  by  a  splinter,  or  having  a  limb  and  per- 
chance a  head  carried  away  by  a  round  shot,  not  to  men- 
tion having  one's  body  made  a  target  for  small  arms.  So 
that  there  were  two  asj)ects  of  the  matter,  both  of  which 
had  to  be  considered  by  thoughtful,  far-seeing  folk. 

Yet  no  one,  unless  indeed  it  was  poor  Tenderly,  who 
would  always  much  prefer  being  in  port  to  being  out  at 
sea,  and  to  whom  the  piping  times  of  peace  were  far  more 
welcome  than  the  "  alarms  and  excursions  "  of  war,  no 
one  felt  any  disposition  to  regret  being  sent  on  their 
perilous  mission.  Officers  and  men  alike  welcomed  the 
prospect  of  lively  times  with  the  chance  of  a  good  bit  of 
prize  money  at  the  end  of  them. 

The  destination  Cai)tain  Fitewell  had  in  view  was  the 
port  of  St.  Jago  de  la  Cuba,  at  the  southeastern  end  of 
the  island.  Toward  this  he  worked  carefully,  a  sharp 
look-out  being  kept  for  suspicious  craft  coming  from  any 


If !  - 


HUNTING   PRIVATEERS. 


103 


'  'J 


quarter.  Dick  as  usual  spent  tlie  most  of  the  time  that 
he  was  not  on  watch  during  the  day  up  in  the  main-top, 
where,  with  tlie  aid  of  a  glass  loaned  hiiu  by  the  first 
lieutenant,  he  swept  the  horizon  in  search  of  strange 
sails. 

But  his  diligence  went  without  reward  until  the  frigate 
was  ofl'  St.  Jago,  and  then  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  re- 
porting the  presence  of  four  French  schooners,  evidently 
armed  and  ready  for  mischief. 

Captain  Fitewell  was  greatly  pleased  at  this,  and  as  he 
could  not  enter  the  port  to  make  the  capture,  decided  to 
watch  it  very  narrowly  in  case  the  schooners  should 
endeavor  to  make  their  escape  therefrom. 

For  several  days  the  frigate  knocked  about  the  neigh- 
borhood, tacking  to  and  fro,  or  lying  to  according  as  the 
wind  served.  But  no  schooners  appeared,  and  the  captain 
denouncing  the  law  that  denied  him  the  privilege  of  sail- 
ing straight  into  the  harbor  and  taking  the  schooners 
without  more  ado,  was  beginning  to  grow  very  impatient, 
and  to  consider  the  propriety  of  trying  some  other  field, 
when  Tenderly 's  opportunity  to  find  favor  in  his  eyes 
came,  and  the  boy  did  not  fail  to  take  advantage  of  it. 

It  happened  in  this  way.  He  was  on  watch  just  as 
daylight  broke,  and  there  being  nothing  particular  for 
Jiim  to  do  he  climbed  up  into  the  main-top  to  look  about 
him.  He  had  hardly  glanced  around  when  his  eyes  fell 
upon  three  of  the  schooners  creeping  cautiously  along  the 
shore  with  the  aid  of  their  sweeps. 

At  once  he  raised  the  cry  of  "  Sail  ho  I "  and  scrambled 


I  i 


164 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


ill 
ill 


I 


i  . 


III    i 


\    I    1^ 


down  to  report  what  he  had  seen.  All  handa  wei'e 
immediately  called  on  deck,  and  the  yards  were  crowded 
with  canvas  to  make  the  most  of  the  light  morning 
breeze. 

At  first  it  seemed  as  if  the  schooners  would  get  away 
before  the  breeze  grew  strong  enough  to  enable  the  frigate 
to  catch  up  with  them.  But  as  the  sun  rose  the  wind 
freshened,  and  presently  the  big  vessel  was  bowling  along 
after  the  little  ones  at  a  rate  that  would  soon  bring  her 
upon  them. 

When  they  perceived  this  they  parted  company,  one 
going  about  so  as  to  sail  due  west,  while  the  other  two 
continued  on  their  course  due  east. 

"  Ah  !  ha  I "  laughed  Captain  Fitewell,  when  he  saw 
this.  They  flatter  themselves  they're  going  to  play  fox 
on  me.    But,  perhaps,  I'll  disappoint  them." 

Steering  after  the  two  which  had  kept  together,  he 
rapidly  overhauled  them,  and  the  moment  he  came  within 
range  let  fly  at  them  with  his  bowchasers.  The  gunners* 
aim  was  good,  the  heavy  shot  reaching  their  marks,  and 
without  waiting  to  be  knocked  into  kindling  wood,  one 
of  the  schooners  went  up  into  the  wind  and  hauled  down 
her  flag  in  token  of  surrender,  while  the  other  tried  the 
desperate  tactic  of  doubling,  with  the  result  that  she  ran 
on  shore  in  such  a  position  that  she  must  inevitably 
become  a  total  wreck. 

Sending  a  prize  crew  on  board  the  one  which  had  sur- 
rendered. Captain  Fitewell,  without  losing  a  minute, 
turned  about  and  set  ofl*  in  pursuit  of  the  third  schooner, 


i-i  wij! 


■  ■  1+' 


I'i 


i. 


hi 


ii 


i^i«^' 

;  -  '  !^  ; 

ill 

i      ■■  :  •     "   '.  ■ 

!»!,•» 

1 

11  ■     1  ■:  -.,  lit 

1  '  1'.  ']  ; 

M|i 

?il 

i^rJJi        "■' 

Im 

The  Good  Ship  Gryphon. 


Page  1<)5 


I 


HUNTING   PRIVATEERS. 


165 


.  1 


which  by  this  time  had  so  long  a  head-start  that  her  cap- 
ture seemed  almost  out  of  the  question. 

But  he  was  not  a  man  to  be  easily  shaken  off.  The 
wind  had  now  risen  into  a  pretty  stiff  blow,  and  tlie 
"  Gryphon  "  fairly  snored  through  the  water  under  the 
pressure  of  a  cloud  of  canvas,  the  studding-sails  swelling 
out  as  though  they  would  burst  their  snowy  bosoms,  and 
the  royals  bending  the  tips  of  the  masts  like  fishing 
rods. 

Slowly  but  surely  the  schooner  was  overhauled, 
although  in  his  anxiety  to  escape,  her  captain  carried  so 
much  canvas  that  she  went  ploughing  througli  ihc  waves 
instead  of  lifting  over  them,  and  it  seemed  every  minute 
as  if  the  mainmast  must  go  by  the  board,  or  the  sails  be 
blown  from  the  booms. 

Perched  in  the  main-top,  Dick  watched  the  chase  with 
breathless  interest.  He  felt  toward  these  privateers  as  a 
hunter  does  toward  wolves  and  panthers.  They  were  the 
beasts  of  prey  of  the  seas,  and  to  be  treated  accordingly. 
No  questioning  as  to  the  rightfulness  of  dri\  ing  them 
from  the  face  of  the  deep  ever  entered  into  his  mind. 
He  could  not  of  course  show  any  undue  severity  to  those 
who  manned  them  as  individuals,  but  taken  collectively, 
they  were  objects  of  his  righteous  indignation,  and  he 
was  eager  to  give  them  hard  knocks  at  every  oppor- 
tunity. 

It  was  after  midday  before  the  frigate  got  within  range 
of  the  schooner,  and  even  then  the  latter  kept  on  her 
course  in  sheer  desperation.    Somtwhat  reluctantly,  there- 


1^ 


166 


TUE   GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


!'■'•    !  !| 


i'tl.tt' 


fore,  for  be  would  have  preferred  capturing  her  uninjured, 
Captain  Fitewcll  gave  orders  for  the  gunners  to  aim  at 
the  masts  and  rigging.  The  first  few  shots  did  little 
damage,  but  presently  old  Taflrail  sent  one  Avbistliiig 
through  the  air  that  by  a  happy  chance  smashed  the 
main-boom  and  efiectually  spoiled  the  schooner's  sailing. 
A  minute  later  she  struck  her  colors,  and  a  prize  crew 
went  on  board  to  take  possession. 

Entirely  satisfied  with  his  day's  work,  Captain  Fitewell 
now  retraced  his  course  so  as  to  pick  up  the  other  cap- 
tured schooner,  ond  then  the  damage  to  the  one  TafTrail 
hit  having  been  repaired  sufficiently  to  enable  her  to  get 
along,  he  started  back  for  Kingston  to  hand  his  prizes 
over,  and  to  take  back  the  men  he  had  put  on  board 
of  them. 

But  as  luck  would  have  it,  the  work  of  that  cruise  was 
not  yet  completed.  About  one  o'clock  of  the  following 
day  a  brig  was  observed  coming  along  shore,  which  soon 
after  hauled  her  wind  to  speak  a  schooner  which  had 
been  avoiding  the  frigate  all  the  morning.  The  captain 
at  once  determined  to  look  into  the  character  of  both 
vessels,  and  signalling  to  the  schooners  to  keep  on  their 
course  toward  Jamaica,  he  turned  his  prow  the  other 
direction. 

There  was  a  strong  breeze  blowing  at  the  time,  and 
about  tliree  o'clock  the  brig  and  schooner  bore  up  together 
under  all  sail,  evidently  full  of  fight. 

"  Hurrah  !  "  exclaimed  Dick,  whose  watch  it  was,  and 
who  was  studying  their  every  movement  with  eager  inter- 


HUNTING   PRIVATEEKS. 


167 


est.  "  Thej  're  not  going  to  run  away  this  time.  They're 
going  to  try  a  tussle  witn  us." 

In  order  to  meet  them  to  the  best  advantage  the  "Gry- 
phon "  stood  off  until  certain  of  fetching  them,  and  then 
made  sail  in  shore,  keeping  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
shore  under  a  heavy  press  of  her  canvas. 

Rearing  and  dipping  in  the  white  caps  the  brig  came 
gallantly  up,  her  decks  crowded  with  armed  men,  and  her 
bulwarks  pierced  for  eighteen  gims.  If  well  handled  and 
properly  supported  by  the  schooner,  she  could  hardly  fail 
to  prove  a  troublesome  customer. 

A  few  minutes  after  four  o'clock  she  had  come  within 
range  and,  as  if  impatient  for  the  fray,  veered  from  her 
course  sufficiently  to  allow  a  broadside  to  be  fired.  The 
eighteen-pound  balls  whistled  threateningly  through  the 
air,  but  the  aim  of  the  gunners  was  poor  and,  beyond  the 
cutting  of  a  few  unimportant  ropes  in  the  upper  rigging, 
the  "  Gryphon  "  suffered  no  damage. 

The  brig  then  attempted  to  cross  the  "Gryphon's" 
hawse,  a  very  clever  manoeuvre,  and  one  that  would  have 
given  her  a  very  great  advantage.  But  Captain  Fitewell 
was  too  old  a  sailor,  and  too  experienced  a  fighter,  to  be 
caught  napping.  Although  tearing  along  at  the  rate  of 
fully  eight  knots,  he  ordered  the  helm  to  be  put  hard-a- 
port  so  as  to  board  the  brig,  and  at  the  same  time  let  fly 
a  broadside  from  his  thirty-two  pounders  that  brought 
his  opponent's  top  hamper  of  studding  sails^  top-sails,  etc., 
tumbling  upon  df'ck  in  a  perfect  shower  of  yards  and 
blocks  and  ropes. 


II 


i' 


I 


|! 


Vn 


168 


THE  GOOD   SHIP  GUYPHON. 


"  Hurrah  I  hurrah  I  "  cried  Dick  again,  delighted  at 
the  effect  of  the  broadside.  "  We  can  teach  Mister 
Frenchie  how  to  aim  straight.  AVhat's  he  going  to  do 
now  with  Lis  rigging  all  in  such  a  mess?" 

The  commander  of  the  brig  seemed  at  first  completely 
bewildered  as  to  what  to  do,  and  the  "  Gryphon's  "  boats 
were  just  about  to  be  lowered  when  the  other  vessel,  to  the 
surprise  of  those  on  board  the  frigate,  lufled  up  and  ran 
straight  for  the  rocks  in  a  small  bay,  striking  the  reef  and 
her  colors  at  almost  the  same  moment. 

The  "Gryphon,"  following  hard  after  her,  narrowly  es 
capcd  a  similar  fate,  and  was  only  saved  by  heaving  ii. 
stays.  As  it  was,  when  after  a  few  moments  of  breathlest 
suspense  she  wore  round,  and  went  off  on  the  port  tack, 
her  stern  was  nearly  in  the  breakers. 

"  Bless  my  eyes !  But  that  was  a  close  shave,"  said 
Lieut.  Henderson  to  Dick,  as  the  latter  stood  besidt;  liim, 
trembling  in  every  limb  with  the  excitement  of  tlie  mo- 
ment.    '*  T  thought  we  wouhl  strike  that  time  for  sure." 

Dick  broke  into  a  laugh  to  conceal  his  perturbation,  as 
he  answered : 

"So  did  I,  sir,  and  I  was  just  wondering  what  would 
happen  to  us  if  we  did  go  ashore.  Perhaps  a  whole  crowd 
of  these  privateers  would  come  along  and  make  us  sur- 
render while  we  were  stuck  here  helpless." 

"It's  probably  just  about  what  would  happen,  Dick," 
returned  the  sub-lieutenant.  "  For  I  believe  the  rascals 
fairly  swarm  around  here,  and  they'd  show  us  small  mercy 
if  they  did  catch  us  in  such  a  fix." 


p 


UUiNTING    PllIVATEEllS. 


169 


As  the  frigate  came  about  slic  fired  a  broadside  into 
^be  brig,  for  Captain  Fitewell  felt  bound  to  destroy  her 
since  he  could  not,  taka  her.  To  leave  her  as  she  was 
wculd  simply  mean  that  the  French  would  float  her  oft' 
at  their  leisure,  and  after  being  repaired  she  would  re- 
sume her  mission  of  injury  to  British  commerce. 

Presently  she  hoisted  her  ensign  again  in  evident  de- 
fiance of  her  assailant,  and  her  boats  carried  her  men 
ashore,  where  they  lined  the  beach  and  were  ready  to 
pour  volleys  of  musketry  upon  any  boats  that  might  ven- 
ture to  board  the  brig. 

NeverthclesB.  Captain  Fitewell,  piqued  at  this  piece  of 
bravado,  determined  to  show  the  French  that  they  could 
not  play  such  pranks  with  impunity,  and  accordingly 
orders  were  given  for  the  boats  to  be  lowered  at 
once. 

The  command  gave  great  delight  on  board  the  "Gry- 
phon," and,  despite  the  manifest  danger  from  the  fire  of 
musketry,  both  officers  and  men  pressed  forv/ard,  eagerly 
seeking  to  be  sent.  Dick  was  among  the  volunteers,  and 
his  friend,  the  sub-lieutenant,  being  given  command  of 
one  of  the  largest  boats,  he  begged  him  for  a  place. 

Mr.  Henderson  was  only  too  glad  to  have  him.  He 
already  had  experience  of  his  courage  and  coolness,  and 
promptly  assented.  As  it  happened,  Dick  had  just  gone 
off  to  get  liis  arms  when  Bulstrode  proffered  the  same  re- 
quest. Now  Mr.  Henderson  had  no  liking  for  Bulstrode, 
and  moreover,  the  complement  for  his  boat  was  already 
made  up,  so  he  answered,  somewhat  curtly : 


I 


t!  ' 


170 


THE   GOOD   SUIP   GRYPHON, 


"No,  Bulstrode  ;  I  have  nil  the  men  I  want.  Try  and 
get  into  some  other  boat,"  and  he  turned  away  to  give 
his  attention  to  getting  ready. 

Boiling  over  with  rage  and  envy,  Bulstrode  rushed 
down  into  the  gun  room,  where  he  knew  Dick  was,  and 
without  the  slightest  apparent  provocation  proceeded  to 
pour  upon  him  a  flood  of  the  coarsest  abuse.  Dick  was 
a  "sneak,"  a  "toady,"  a  "spy,"  and  many  other  things 
not  less  objectionable,  each  brutal  epithet  being  garnished 
with  oaths  to  make  it  still  more  aggravating. 

In  the  high  state  of  excitement  that  Dick  was  in,  this 
unexpected  and  unprovoked  attack  at  first  bewildered  him. 
Then  as  he  saw  the  other  middies  laughing  in  an  amused 
way  and  evidently  enjoying  the  scene,  his  anger  suddenly 
rose  to  white  heat.  On  the  floor  beside  him  lay  a  heavy 
boot  that  one  of  the  officers  had  taken  ofll  Stooping  down 
he  picked  this  up,  and  let  it  fly  with  all  his  force  straight 
at  Bulstrode's  face.  His  aim  was  perfect,  and  his  action 
80  quick,  that  the  bully,  taken  unawares,  had  no  time  to 
ward  off"  the  missile,  and  the  heavy  heel  struck  him  full 
on  the  forehead.  With  a  fearful  oath  he  staggered  back 
upon  a  bench  behind  him,  while  Dick  fled  to  the  upper* 
deck,  and  the  boat  being  already  lowered,  he  sprang  in, 
knowing  well  that  Bulstrode  would  not  dare  to  follow  him 
thither. 

The  next  minute  the  boat  pulled  off"  for  the  brig,  and 
Dick  forgot  everything  in  the  excitement  of  the  enter- 
prise. This  was  no  mere  pleasure  trip,  by  any  means. 
Although  the  brig  herself  appeared  to  be  deserted,  the 


HUNTING   PRIVATEERS. 


171 


shore  behiud  her  was  lined  with  armed  men,  whose  mus- 
kets began  to  speak  even  before  the  boat  came  into  range ; 
and  the  splash  of  the  bullets  in  the  water  around  them 
warned  the  daring  sailors  that  they  could  hardly  expect 
to  get  off  unscathed. 

Yet  on  they  pressed,  rowing  as  steadily  as  if  practising 
for  a  race,  and  even  when  one  of  the  men  in  the  bow  was 
hit  and  had  to  give  up  his  oar,  another  took  his  place 
without  a  word,  and  the  cutter  never  lost  speed.  The 
nearer  they  got  to  the  stranded  vessel  the  heavier  grew 
the  fire  of  musketry,  and  it  was  little  short  of  a  miracle 
that  more  of  them  were  not  hit.  But  the  French  happily 
were  very  poor  marksmen;  and  with  only  two  men 
slightly  w^ounded,  they  dashed  alongside  the  brig,  where 
they  were  entirely  protected  f'^r  the  time. 

Dick  was  the  first  one  to  set  foot  on  the  slanting  deck 
of  the  abandoned  vessel,  and  as  with  some  difficulty  he 
made  sure  his  balance,  he  took  off  his  cap  and  waved  it 
triumphantly,  shouting : 

"  Hurrah  for  old  England !  One  more  prize  for  the 
'  Gryphon,'  and  a  fine  one  too." 

Taking  care  not  to  expose  themselves  to  the  bullets 
from  the  shore.  Lieutenant  Henderson  and  his  men  pro- 
ceeded to  make  an  examination  of  the  vessel,  in  order  to 
see  if  there  was  any  chance  of  getting  her  off  the  reef 
and  repairing  her  for  service  under  the  Union  Jack. 
When  this  was  completed,  they  gathered  in  a  group  by 
the  main  chains  to  discuss  the  situation,  the  marksmen  on 
the  beacli  in  the  meantime  keeping  up  a  continuous  fu- 


172 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON, 


JH 


1  i 


m 


rilladi  although  it  was  nothing  better  than  a  slieer  waste 
of  powder  and  bullets. 

The  sub-lieutenant  announced  the  result  of  the  in- 
spection. 

"  It's  too  bad,  my  hearties,  but  I'm  afraid  we've  run  the 
gauntlet  for  nothing.  There'?}  no  chance  of  getting  the 
brig  off.  She's  badly  hogged,  and  would  sink  the  mo- 
ment she  got  back  to  deep  water.  The  ))e8t  thing  we  can 
do  is  to  set  her  on  fire,  and  get  back  to  our  ship  as  quickly 
as  possible." 

There  were  many  exclamations  of  regret,  at  this  de- 
cision, but  no  one  could  question  its  soundness.  If  the 
brig  were  burnt  there  would  of  course  be  no  prize  money, 
and  the  men  who  had  risked  their  lives  to  board  her  mu/?t 
fain  be  content  with  the  satisfaction  to  be  derived  from 
the  destruction  of  a  dangerous  enemy  to  British  com- 
merce. 

It  is  an  easy  thing  to  set  a  ship  on  fire ;  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  flames  were  leaping  from  the  hold  of  the  brig 
and  greedily  licking  the  foot  of  the  mainmast.  Mr. 
Henderson  shrewdly  ordered  the  boats  to  stay  alongside 
until  the  volume  of  smoke  was  sufficient  to  materially 
mask  their  retreat ;  and  in  this  way,  and  by  dint  of  vig- 
orous rowing,  they  got  out  of  range  without  any  further 
casualties. 

Just  as  they  reached  the  "  Gryphon,"  the  masts  of  the 
brig  went  over  the  side  with  a  startling  crash,  and  by  the 
time  the  frigate  had  got  well  under  way  there  was  noth- 
ing left  but  the  smoking  skeleton  of  what  had  only  a  few 


>  If 


m 


HUNTING  PRIVATEERS. 


173 


hours  before  been  a  saucy  privateer,  mounting  eighteen 
long  eighteen  pounders,  and  carrying  a  crew  of  a  hun- 
dred men. 

Shortly  after  Dick  returned  to  the  "  Gryphon,"  he  was 
sent  for  by  Captain  Fitewell.  His  thoughts  being  still 
engrossed  with  the  privateer  and  her  destruction,  he  took 
it  for  granted  that  he  was  to  be  asked  something  in  refer- 
ence to  that  subject,  and  was  completely  taken  aback 
when  the  captain,  regarding  him  with  a  look  of  unwonted 
sternness,  said : 

"Mr.  Holland,  I  am  informed  that  just  previous  to 
your  going  off  in  the  cutter  with  Mr.  Henderson,  you 
threw  a  heavy  boot  at  Mr.  Bulstrode  and  injured  him 
severely  in  the  face.    Is  that  iuformation  correct  ?  " 


i 


Ml 


II 


ill 


m 


•  - 1 


J 


<i 


■  <  i 


1 1 


:i^; 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


GOOD    FOU   EVIL. 


AT  the  cu})tiiiii'8  grave,  Heard) ing  question,  Dick 
-  I!;k<lu!(l  criniHon.  Until  that  luonient,  Bulstrodo 
had  hrk^ii  entirt'ly  out  of  liis  mind  siu(!e  tho  cutter  pu.slied 
o!l  io  !)oard  tlie  privateer.  But  now  tlio  recollection  of 
Ilia  n\A),  rcckleHS  act  of  temper  came  full  upon  him,  and 
with  'f  a  poignant  ap})rehen.sion  that  the  injury  inllicted 
had  been  of  a  far  more  serious  naiiure  than  he  even  in- 
teiuh'd  or  desired. 

"1  did,  sir,"  he  replied,  his  countenance,  that  was  ever 
as  open  iw  a  book,  revealing  tho  mingled  feelings  of  con- 
trition for  his  misdeed  nnd  anxiety  for  its  victim  which 
possessed  his  heart.  "And  I'm  very,  very  sorry;  and 
oh,  sir,  is  he  very  nuich  hurt?  " 

"  The  surgeon  sjiys  it  is  quite  a  nasty  cut,"  responded 
Captain  Fitewel'.  "Will  you  be  good  enough  to  explain 
how  you  canv:  to  be  guilty  of  such  misconduct?" 

The  llusi'.  on  Dick's  face,  whir'h  had  given  way  to  a  no 
less  unwonted  pallor,  as  tlii)  gravity  of  his  situation  re- 
vealed itself,  now  returned  with  increased  emphasis;  for 
he  felt  himself  to  be  in  a  strait  betwixt  two  as  he  luid 
never  been  in  his  life  before. 

In  order  to  make  clear  to  Captain  Fitewell  the  causes 
which  had  led  up  to  his  sudden  outburst  of  anger,  it 
174 


GOOD    FOR    EVIL. 


176 


would  1)(5  lU'cioHaiiry  to  ai)i)oar  in  tlic  role  of  an  infonuor, 
mu\  from  tli'iH  lie  Hlirank  with  livelioHt  loathing.  Yet,  on 
the  other  l>an<l,  if  ho  kept  silenee  his  aetion  might  bo 
misconstrued  to  his  serious  discredit;  and  full  of  con- 
trition as  he  was  for  having  yielded  to  the  impulse  which 
sent  the  hoot  Hying  througii  the  air,  still  he  did  not  want 
to  sull'er  beyond  his  deserts,  particndarly  as  he  had  been 
getting  on  so  well  of  late. 

KStruck  by  his  (evident  discomposure,  the  captain  said, 
in  a  more  moderate  tone : 

"  You  need  not  hesitate  to  state  precisely  what  took 
place.     It  is  your  duty  to  give  me  the  infornmtion." 

Stiil  Dick  was  silent,  and  gave  an  appealing  look 
toward  the  first  lieutenant,  as  tiiough  to  say : 

"  You  understand  me.  You  know  why  I  don't  want 
to  tell.     Won't  you  please  explain  to  Captain  Fitewell?  " 

Mr.  McKinstry,  with  quick  sympathy,  read  the  boy's 
meaning  in  his  eyes,  and  turning  to  the  captain,  wiid 
respectfully : 

"  I  think  I  know  why  Holland  is  reluctant  to  answer 
your  incpiiries  in  the  way  you  desire,  sir.  lie  does  not 
want  to  do  anything  tliat  would  seem  like  informing. 
Perhaps  I  can  liclp  to  nuikc  the  matter  plain." 

lie  then  proceeded  to  tell  all  that  he  knew  of  Eul- 
strode's  petty  persecution  of  both  Dick  and  Tenderly, 
beginning  with  the  scene  he  had  witnessed  the  first  day 
of  Dick's  coming  on  board,  and  concluding  with  the 
statement  that  Dick  was  the  only  one  of  the  midship- 
men who  stood  up  projHU'ly  against  the  bully. 


I:, I 


: 


MM 


\Mi 


.- ) 


IIP'  '^' 

111! 


17G 


THE   GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON, 


It  was  evident  from  the  expression  of  Captain  Fite- 
well's  countenance,  as  ho  listened  to  the  first  lieutenant, 
that  what  he  heard  was  altogether  new  to  him,  and  re- 
vealed a  condition  of  things  which  put  Dick's  conduct  in 
quite  a  diUbront  liglit. 

"  I  am  very  glad  you  have  told  me  this,  Mr.  McKinstry," 
said  he,  with  a  dignified  inclination  of  his  head  toward 
Dick's  advocate.  "  I  had  no  thought  of  such  doings  on 
board  my  ship,  and  shall  take  njcasurcs  to  put  a  stop  to 
them  at  once.  As  to  you,  sir,"  turning  to  Dick,  "what 
Mr.  McKinstry  has  said  presents  at  le:ist  some  justifica- 
tion for  your  breach  of  discipline.  At  the  same  time, 
;'ou  cannot  be  permitted  to  take  the  law  into  your  own 
hands  in  such  a  fashion,  and  I  will  consider  what  pen- 
alty to  impose.     You  may  go  now." 

Dick  retired  in  a  very  unhappy  frame  of  mind.  He 
felt  that  the  displeasure  of  his  captain  was  well  grounded, 
and  that  any  sentence  he  might  impose  would  be  fully 
deserved.  Moreover,  it  was  the  first  time  since  he  joined 
the  "  Gryphon  "  that  he  had  been  before  Captain  Fite- 
well  for  misconduct,  and  the  disgrace  of  it  hurt  him 
sorely.  Yet  even  stronger  than  tliese  causes  of  mental 
trouble  was  the  feeling  of  genuine  contrition  for  the 
blow,  and  of  desire  to  make  reparation  at  any  cost,  if 
that  was  possible. 

He  at  once  hastened  to  inquire  about  Bulstrode,  and 
learning  that  he  was  in  the  gun  room  nursing  his  injured 
head,  proceeded  thither,  determined  to  lose  no  time  in 
making  him  an  ample  apology.    He  found  the  big  fellow 


if 


(iOOl)    von    KVHi. 


177 


)) 


curUul  up  in  tito  most  cuinfurtablo  curncr,  with  a  bandugo 
about  hiH  ibrchcad,  and  a  pipe  in  IiIh  nioutli,  reading  u 
tatti'i'cid  novel.  Irfoveral  of  tlio  otluii*  niidHbipniun  were 
loungin;^  about  on  tiie  eluiirn,  or  Htudying  their  leHHuns  at 
the  table. 

It  wa8  no  easy  thing  for  Dick  to  Hwallovv  Ids  pride  and 
go  to  hJH  tormentor  au  a  Huppliant  for  par<h)n  before  ho 
many  ispectatorH,  and  it  took  all  his  .strc^ngth  of  mind  to 
earry  him  tiirough.  Indeed,  only  the  clear  conviction 
that  it  was  his  duty  as  a  ChriHtiun  to  thuH  confcsH  him- 
self in  error,  and  oiler  a  Hincere  apology  gave  him  tlio 
neccsnary  resolution.  As  it  was,  his  voice  trembled,  and 
hardly  made  itself  heard  when,  having  reached  liul- 
strode's  side,  he  said  : 

"  1  want  to  apologize  to  you,  Bulstrode,  for  throwing 
that  boot  at  you.  I  am  very  sorry,  and  I  hope  your  hurt 
is  not  very  bad." 

For  a  moment  or  two  Jiulstrode  went  on  reading  aa 
though  lie  had  heard  nothing,  while  Dick  stood  there 
feeling  liir  more  wretched  than  he  had  in  the  presence 
of  Captain  Fitewell. 

Then  the  attention  of  all  in  the  room  having  been  at- 
tracted, which  was  just  what  Bulstrode  desired,  and  he 
having  got  his  wits  together  and  tiiought  out  what  he 
would  say,  let  his  book  fall  sh)wly  into  his  hip,  gave  a 
\m'j^(i  yawn  that  was  nuide  for  the  occasion,  and  affecting 
a  drawl  which  was  intended  to  put  more  sting  into  his 
words,  regarded  Dick  with  a  look  of  the  most  aggra- 
ating  insolence,  as  he  said  : 

M 


'  'I 

.1   1 


* 


»E;| 


•Ml:..;     ' 

.1 


I: 


li^ll 


«:^ 


<  *  "i  '1 ' 

1 


«' 


i  •  -J 


'f^. 


Ill  (' 


^{ 


178 


THE  GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


"The  little  man  is  sorry,  is  he?  And  he  won't  do 
it  again.  ITe's  found  out  that  good  little  Christians 
shouldn't  throw  big  boots  at  other  people's  heads.' 

Then  raising  his  voice  so  as  to  make  it  more  disti?ictly 
audible,  although  in  the  strained  silence  of  the  room  not 
a  word  he  had  spoken  had  been  lost : 

"  Do  you  hear  him,  fellows  ?  lie's  begging  my  par- 
don, and  promising  not  to  be  such  a  naughty  boy  again. 
Shall  we  kiss  and  be  friends  ?    What  do  you  say  ?  " 

The  words  themselves  were  not  so  aggravating  as  the 
coarse,  jeering  tones  in  which  they  were  uttered,  and  the 
brutal  leer  that  marked  the  speaker's  countenance.  A 
crimson  flush  suflused  Dick's  face,  and  his  hands  uncon- 
sciously clenched  themselves  into  fists,  while  his  eyes 
flashed  fiercely,  and  his  teeth  set  tightly.  He  did  not 
hear  the  murmur  of  disgust  that  arose  from  the  other 
midshipmen,  nor  the  significant  turning  of  their  backs, 
which  constituted  the  only  reply  they  deigned  to  make 
to  Bulstrode's  challenge.  His  whole  soul  was  absorbed 
in  the  struggle  to  keep  back  the  burning  words  that 
seemed  to  throb  within  him.  Twice  they  almost  burst 
forth,  and  twice  by  a  heroic  effort  he  held  them  back. 
Then,  not  daring  to  trust  himself  any  longer,  he  threw 
back  his  head  as  though  to  say : 

"  It's  no  use.  I  can  do  no  more."  And  turning  on  his 
heel,  he  left;  the  room  amid  a  decided  murmur  of  sympa- 
thy. Bulstrode  burst  into  a  loud,  harsh  laugh,  as  if  he 
thought  the  affair  an  excellent  joke,  although  in  his  heart 
he  realized  that  he  had  borne  himself  conspicuously  ill. 


:i>j' 


ii 


'5i 


OOOD   FOR   EVIL. 


179 


A 


and  that  so  far  as  the  good  opinion  of  their  associates 
was  concerned,  Dick  beyond  alJ  question  had  carried  off 
the  advantage. 

In  a  strange  tumult  of  emotion,  Dick  made  his  way  to 
hxs  eyrie  in  the  main-top  where,  secure  from  all  observa- 
tion, he  could  give  vent  to  the  feelings  that  would  no 
longer  be  controlled.  He  was  cut  to  the  heart  by  what 
he  considered  the  huiuiliatiou  he  hud  undergone,  and  not 
even  the  conviction  that  in  ot'''  'w^  tlic  apology  he  had 
done  only  what  was  his  simple  duty  as  a  Christian,  gave 
him  much  comfort. 

lie  had  not  been  there  long  before  Tenderly  came  up, 
full  of  sympathy,  and  eager  to  put  the  whole  business  in 
a  far  more  favorable  light  than  Dick  was  disposed  to  do. 
They  talked  together  until  sundown,  and  by  that  time 
Dick  had  come  to  a  much  more  composed  state  of  mind, 
so  that  he  looked  and  felt  more  like  himself  when  he  made 
his  appearance  at  the  dinner  table. 

The  affair  had  one  good  result,  at  all  events.  It  put  a 
complete  scop  to  Bulstrode's  tormenting  tactics,  for  Cap- 
tain Fitewell  gave  him  clearly  to  understand  that  he 
would  be  watched  thenceforth,  and  at  the  slightest  at- 
tempt to  repeat  any  of  them,  would  be  dismissed  from 
the  ship  immediately.  Knowing  the  captain  to  be  a  man 
of  his  word,  Bui  strode  took  heed  to  the  injunction,  and 
contented  himself  with  scowling  fiercely  at  Dick  and  Ten- 
derly whenever  they  happened  to  meet  face  to  face. 

Meantime  the  "  Gryphon "  continued  her  cruise  in 
quest  of  privateers  with  varying  success,  and  there  was 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)  872-4503 


Z 


k 


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\ 


180 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON 


ii  i' 


lif 


!!;! 


plenty  of  work  for  every  officer  and  sailor  on  board. 
Her  supply  of  fresh  water  giving  out,  she  put  into  the 
port  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  to  refill  the  casks ;  and  it  was 
while  there  that  the  occasion  presented  itself  tor  Dick  to 
give  a  striking  illustration  of  the  spirit  his  Master,  in  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount,  had  demanded  of  those  who  en- 
tered his  service. 

The  harbor  fairly  swarmed  with  sharks,  and  Bulstrode 
one  morning  sought  to  gratify  his  propensity  for  inflict- 
ing suffering  by  fishing  for  them  with  a  shark  line. 
Presently  he  hooked  a  big  fellow  weighing  several  hun- 
dred pounds,  and  found  himself  in  sore  straits  as  to  man- 
aging the  monster.  He  was  too  proud,  however,  to  call 
any  one  else  to  help  him,  and  did  his  best  to  carry  on  the 
struggle  alone. 

His  position  was  on  the  little  platform  at  the  for&- 
chains,  whence  the  lead  is  cast.  Not  a  very  secure  place 
from  which  to  angle  for  sharks ;  but  it  was  not  Bulstrode's 
way  to  carefully  consider  consequences.  The  shark  wal- 
loped about  wildly,  tugging  for  freedom  with  tremendous 
strength ;  and,  realizing  that  he  had  undertaken  a  task 
beyond  his  powers,  Bulstrode  endeavored  to  give  the  line 
a  couple  of  twines  around  the  iron  hand-rail  which  pro- 
tected the  platform. 

While  so  doing,  the  shark  somehow  or  other,  in  the 
course  of  its  frantic  rushes,  succeeded  in  getting  the  line 
across  his  chest,  at  the  same  moment  giving  a  tug  that  no 
human  strength  could  withstand.  Taken  completely  un- 
awares, Bulstrode  let  go  the  line  and  made  a  desperate 


GOOD  FOR  EVIL 


181 


te 


grasp  at  the  railing,  but  missed  it  with  both  hands ;  and 
the  next  instant,  uttering  a  wild  shriek  for  help,  was  drawn 
over  the  railing  into  the  midst  of  the  ravenous  monsters 
gliding  about  below  I 

Now  as  it  happened,  Dick  and  Tenderly  had  been 
spectators  of  the  whole  affair  from  the  main-top.  With 
the  disappearance  of  Bulstrode,  Dick  exclaimed  : 

"  He's  overboard.    And  he  can't  swim  a  stroke  I " 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation  he  slid  through  the 
lubber-hole — ordinarily  he  despised  this  short  cut  and 
used  the  futtock-shrouds — and  scrambled  down  the  main 
shrouds  at  a  rate  that  was  nothing  short  of  perilous. 
Beaching  the  deck,  he  picked  up  a  coil  of  small  rope,  and 
rushing  to  the  bulwarks,  tossed  one  end  of  it  to  Tenderly, 
who  had  followed  close  upon  his  heels,  wound  the  other 
end  around  his  left  wrist,  and  then  saying:  "Keep  a 
good  hold,  Arthur,  and  help  all  you  can,"  sprang  feet 
first  into  the  water  where  Bulstrode  was  sinking  for  the 
second  time,  with  the  sharks  gathering  closely  about  him, 
ready  to  rend  him  in  pieces. 

Now  Dick  was  a  splendid  swimmer ;  and,  aided  by  the 
rope,  would  have  found  little  difficulty  in  rescuing  even 
so  bulky  a  fellow  as  Bulstrode  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances ;  but  it  was  a  very  different  matter  with  a  number 
of  man-eating  sharks  cavorting  about,  ready  to  devour 
whatever  came  within  reach  of  their  horrible  jaws. 

By  this  time  the  bulwarks  were  lined  with  officers  and 
men,  some  shouting  directions  to  Dick,  while  others,  with 
long  boat-hooks,  tried  to  harpoon  the  sharks,  and  others 


4t 

"if  I 


■  f. 


m 


r  \ 


182 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


Btill  lowered  themselves  down  the  side  by  ropes,  so  as  to 
lend  assistance  at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 

The  excitement  was  intense,  yet  in  the  midst  of  it  all 
there  was  no  one  more  self-possessed  than  Dick.  So  en- 
grossed was  he  in  the  business  of  rescue  that  he  took  no 
thought  for  anything  else.  He  succeeded  in  grasping 
Bulstrode  at  the  first  dive,  and  rose  to  the  surface  with 
him  firmly  held  by  the  collar. 

"  Keep  still  now,"  he  cried,  aa  the  big  fellow  struggled 
and  spluttered.  "  Here,  take  this  rope."  And  he  thrust 
the  rope  into  his  hands,  which  instantly  closed  upon  it 
with  the  grip  that  only  a  drowning  man  can  give.  "  Now, 
then,  Arthur,  pull  away ! "  he  shouted,  turning  his  face 
toward  the  ship. 

Half  a  dozen  pairs  of  eager  hands  laid  hold  with  Ar- 
thur, and  in  a  few  seconds  Bulstrode  was  drawn  along- 
side, where  other  hands  grasped  him  and  passed  him  up 
to  the  deck. 

The  moment  he  was  released  of  his  burden,  Dick  struck 
out  for  the  ship  on  his  own  account,  and  for  the  first  time 
fully  realized  into  what  deadly  peril  he  had  sprung.  The 
sharks  were  all  about  him,  their  dorsal  fins  cleaving  the 
water  to  right  and  left,  and  their  white  forms  gleaming 
through  its  translucent  green.  So  bold  were  they,  that 
they  seemed  disposed  to  dispute  his  right  of  way  back,  in 
spite  of  the  shower  of  missiles  that  descended  upon  them 
from  the  excited  sailors. 

Splashing  as  much  as  possible,  Dick  forged  ahead  until 
his  hand  clasped  a  rope  cleverly  thrown  by  Bo'sun  TafiraiL 


GOOD  FOB  EVIL. 


183 


''  Heave-ho,  my  hearties  I "  he  shouted,  the  moment  his 
fingers  closed  upon  it. 

The  men  obeyed  with  such  a  will  that  he  was  well- 
nigh  lifted  clear  of  the  water,  and  it  seemed  as  if  he 
would  escape  unscathed,  ailer  all,  when  the  largest  of  the 
sharks,  as  though  determined  he  should  not,  made  a 
desperate  rush  and  caught  his  left  foot  in  its  cruel  mouth, 
although  fortunately,  because  of  Dick's  upward  motion 
and  his  being  almost  beyond  the  shark's  reach,  he  did  not 
get  a  full  hold. 

Poor  Dick  gave  a  scream  of  mingled  fright  and  pain, 
at  which  old  Tafirail,  no  longer  able  to  restrain  himself, 
slid  down  one  of  the  ropes  with  his  sheath-knife  between 
his  teeth,  threw  his  left  arm  around  the  shark's  head  to 
steady  himself,  and  then  drove  the  knife  clear  up  to  the 
hilt  into  the  monster's  eye. 

It  was  magnificently  done,  and  a  thrilling  cheer  went 
up  from  the  spectators;  for,  writhing  in  agony,  the  shark 
let  go  its  hold,  and  sank  back  into  the  water  already 
crimsoned  with  its  blood. 

The  moment  Dick  was  released,  those  who  held  the  rope 
drew  him  up  to  the  deck,  which  he  reached  just  in  time 
to  fall  down  in  a  faint. 

When  he  came  to  himself  he  was  in  his  own  hammock, 
with  the  surgeon  bending  anxiously  over  him.  His  foot 
hurt  so  terribly,  that  instinctively  he  put  his  hand  down 
to  feel  if  it  had  been  torn  off  by  the  serrated  teeth  of 
the  shark.  Understanding  the  movement,  the  surgeon 
said,  with  a  re-assuring  smile : 


:  1 


\4i 


il^ 


184 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


i 


t    II 


"  Oh,  it's  there  still  1  Pretty  badly  scraped,  to  be  sure^ 
but  we'll  make  it  all  right  again." 

Much  comforted,  Dick  sank  back  on  his  pillow,  and, 
after  a  moment's  quiet,  asked : 

"How's  Bulstrode?" 

"  None  the  worse  for  his  ducking,"  responded  the  sur- 
geon, in  a  tone  of  decided  indifference.  "  You're  the  one 
we're  concerned  about.  You  had  a  close  shave  for  it,  I 
tell  you,  Dick.  If  that  brute  had  caught  you  a  little 
higher  up,  I  wouldn't  like  to  answer  for  the  conse- 
quences." 

Dick  closed  his  eyes,  to  hide  the  tears  that  filled  them. 
What  a  horrible  death  it  would  have  been  I  And  his 
mother — surely  it  would  have  broken  her  heart.  How 
thankful  he  should  be  to  the  Divine  Providence  who 
once  more  had  so  signally  protected  him  I  And  he  was 
thankful.  He  believed  with  all  his  heart  that  God  had 
delivered  him,  and,  while  his  eyes  continued  closed,  his 
lips  moved  as  he  rendered  praise  to  the  Love  Omnipo- 
tent. 

The  surgeon,  thinking  he  was  falling  asleep,  slipped 
quietly  away ;  and  when  Dick  opened  his  eyes.  Tenderly 
stood  in  his  place,  his  thin,  sallow  countenance  so  full  of 
sympathy  and  concern  that  Dick  could  not  forbear  a 
smile,  despite  the  pangs  that  shot  up  from  his  injured 
foot. 

At  sight  of  the  smile.  Tenderly  brightened  up  amaz- 
ingly. 

"  Oh,  I'm  so  glad  I "  he  exclaimed.    "  You'll  soon  be 


..  > 


GOOD   FOR   EVIL. 


185 


all  right,  won't  you,  Dick  ?  And  oh,  Dick," — here  his 
lipa  trembled  and  his  voice  quivered,  while  the  tears  gath- 
ered in  his  pale  blue  eyes, — "  I  was  so  dreadfully  fright- 
ened when  the  shark  came  at  you.  I  wanted  to  jump 
right  in  too.  But  you  know  I  can't  swim ;  and  then  dear, 
good  Tafirail  jumped,  and  I  knew  he'd  pull  you  out." 

Dick  could  not  forbear  another  smile.  The  idea  of 
Tenderly  jumping  into  the  water  to  rescue  him,  had  some- 
thing so  absurd  about  it.  The  boy  could  not  swim  a 
stroke.  He  disliked  the  water  too  much  to  learn,  and  as 
for  trying  conclusions  with  a  shark,  why,  the  shark  would 
probably  bite  him  in  two  before  he  knew  what  had  hap- 
pened to  him. 

But,  of  course,  Dick  said  nothing  of  all  this  to  his 
friend.    He  took  his  hand  and  pressed  it  warmly,  saying : 

"  You're  a  good  fellow,  Arthur,  and  you'd  stand  by  me 
anywhere,  I  know.  You'll  have  a  chance  some  day  to 
distinguish  yourself.    You  see  if  you  don't." 

Tenderly's  face  grew  radiant. 

"  I  do  hope  I  will,"  he  exclaimed,  ecstatically.  "  I  do 
so  want  to  do  something  that  other  people  will  think  fine. 
You  know  you're  doing  it  all  the  time,  Dick.  Every- 
body on  board,  except  Bulstrode,  says  you're  a  regular 
hero.  And  they're  all  right  too,"  he  added,  raising  his 
voice  to  give  emphasis  to  the  statement. 

Now  hearty  praise,  even  from  a  frankly  biased  friend, 
is  ])y  no  means  unwelcome ;  and  Dick  almost  forgot  his 
pain  as  he  listened  to  Tenderly's  enthusiastic  expressions. 

Yet  even  more  gratifying  than  the  praises  of  a  friend 


J 

i  ■- 

•1 

■I  i  'il 


.■.•■a 


'•  i 


186 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


are  those  of  an  enemy  who  has  been  overcome,  n  jt  by  su- 
perior  might,  but  by  magnanimous  service.  It  was  not 
until  Dick  had  been  left  alone  that  Bulstrode  came  up  to 
express  his  gratitude  in  blundering,  though  unmistakably 
sincere  phrases.  The  hard  crust  of  selfishness  had  been 
broken  by  Dick's  heroic  conduct,  and  the  best  that  was 
in  him  brought  to  the  surface.  Never  before  in  his  life 
had  he  felt  so  thoroughly  ashamed  of  himself;  and  in  the 
first  flush  of  this  righteous  repentance,  he  did  not  hesitate 
to  follow  up  his  words  of  gratitude  with  a  frank  apology 
for  his  past  misconduct,  and  a  fervent  request  that  it 
might  be  forgiven. 

Dick's  response  was  of  course  as  prompt  and  hearty  as 
tone  and  words  could  make  it,  and  the  two  had  quite  a 
pleasant  chat  together. 

Presently  Lieutenant  McKinstry  came  along  with  the 
good  news  that  the  "  Gryphon "  was  to  put  back  to 
Kingston,  where  Dick  might  go  ashore,  if  he  liked, 
until  his  foot  was  entirely  healed,  and  he  could  resume 
duty. 

«  Oh,  that  will  be  splendid ! "  exclaimed  Dick.  « I'll 
send  and  ask  Mr.  Wilson  if  I  may  stay  there.  I  know 
he'll  be  glad  to  have  me." 

**  A  capital  plan,  Dick,"  said  Mr.  McKinstry.  "  You'll 
get  well  again  twice  as  quickly  there  as  at  the  hospital  or 
on  board  ship,  and  the  little  holiday  will  do  you  good  in 
every  way." 

Accordingly,  as  soon  as  the  frigate  made  her  moorings 
in  Kingston  harbor.  Tenderly  went  off  to  call  upon  the 


GOOD  FOR  EVIL. 


187 


Wilsons  and  find  out  if  it  would  be  convenient  for  them 
to  have  Dick  as  a  guest  for  a  week. 

He  came  back  with  a  smiling  face  that  betokened  suc- 
cess. The  warmest  possible  welcome  awaited  Dick,  and 
Mr.  Wilson's  carriage  would  be  at  the  dock  for  him  that 
very  afternoon. 

So  that  night  found  Dick  comfortably  installed  with 
his  friends,  who  were  highly  pleased  at  the  prospect  of 
having  him  for  a  whole  week ;  for  he  was  indeed  a  very 
entertaining  guest.  He  loved  to  talk,  and  he  had  a  bright 
graphic  way  of  narrating  his  experience  and  adventures 
that  made  his  company  eminently  agreeable. 

They  all  did  their  best  to  spoil  him  that  week,  and,  as 
he  wrote  home  to  his  mother,  they  seemed  to  be  conspiring 
to  cure  him  of  his  fondness  for  the  sea  by  proving  how 
much  more  pleasant  it  was  ashore. 

Dick,  however,  was  neither  spoiled,  nor  cured  of  that 
fondness.  He  enjoyed  the  week's  stay  immensely,  and 
was  sorry  when  it  came  to  a  close.  Yet  no  sooner  had  his 
foot  healed  sufficiently  to  allow  of  his  putting  on  a  boot 
and  walking  without  pain,  than  he  announced  his  inten- 
tion of  reporting  himself  ready  for  duty,  and  all  the  en- 
treaties of  the  Wilsons  could  not  persuade  him  to  dally. 

"  No — no — please,"  he  answered,  entreatingly.  "  I'm 
fit  for  duty  now,  and  it's  not  fair  for  me  to  stay  ashore 
any  longer.  You've  treated  me  like  a  prince,  and  I  can't 
begin  to  tell  you  how  grateful  I  feel ;  but  you  know  Vm 
only  a  middy,  and  I  mustn't  do  anything  that  looks  like 
shirking." 


188 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


So,  with  many  promises  to  return  at  the  first  opportu* 
nity,  Dick  bade  his  kind  friends  good-bye  and  went  back 
to  the  frigate. 

As  he  stepped  on  board  he  was  met  by  Lieutenant  Mc- 
Kinstry,  whose  face  brightened  at  sight  of  him,  and  who 
immediately  said : 

"  Oh,  Dick  1  I'm  so  glad  youVe  turned  up.  I  waa 
hoping  you  would  put  in  an  appearance  to-day.  How 
would  you  like  to  go  with  me  to  Diamond  Bock?  " 


. 


' 


II 


CHAPTER  XV. 


DIAMOND  BOCK. 


DICK  was  quite  taken  aback  by  this  unexpected 
question.  He  knew  no  more  of  Diamond  Rock 
than  he  did  of  Timbuctoo,  and  had  not  the  remotest  idea 
whether  the  lieutenant  was  going  hunting,  fishing,  or 
fighting.  But  after  all,  what  did  it  matter  ?  So  long  as 
his  friend  was  going,  that  was  enough  for  him. 

"  Diamond  Rock,  sir  ?  "  he  answered,  after  a  moment's 
hesitation.  "  I  don't  know  anything  about  it.  But  if  you 
want  me  to  go  with  you,  I'm  ready." 

"Spoken  like  a  man  I  "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant,  clap- 
ping him  warmly  on  the  back.  "  You  know  almost  as 
much  about  Diamond  Rock  as  I  do,  and  we'  11  soon  find 
out  the  rest.  Sit  down  now,  and  I'll  tell  you  what's  in 
the  wind.  This  Diamond  Rock  lies  off*  the  south  side  of 
Martinique,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  shore. 
I've  often  sailed  by  it,  and  would  have  taken  a  good  squint 
at  it  if  I'd  ever  thought  they  were  going  to  ship  me  there. 
I  never  saw  anybody  on  it,  and  they  do  say  the  sea-crabs 
and  the  birds  are  the  only  garrison  it  ever  had  before. 
It's  the  admiral's  own  notion — ^that  of  sending  some  men 
and  guns  to  the  Rock — and  he's  full  of  the  idea.  He  says 
that  if  all  goes  well,  he'll  have  the  island  rated  on  the 
king's  books  as  a  sloop  of  war,  and  treated  as  such.    It's 

189 


■m 


I 


:  i 


m 


190 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


no  end  of  a  bright  scheme,  I  think  myself;  for  with  half 
a  dozen  good  guns,  a  hundred  men,  and  plenty  of  ammu* 
nition,  H.  M.  S.  '•  Diamond  Rock  "  ought  to  do  a  power 
of  damage  to  Monsieur  Farlez-vous'  vessels,  and  make  it 
a  tough  job  for  them  to  get  in  and  out  of  Fort  Boyal 
Bay." 

Dick  listened  with  flashing  eyes.  Here  wajs  an  adven- 
ture lit  to  stir  the  spirit  of  the  dullest  boy. 

'*  Oh,  how  glad  I  am,  sir,  that  you've  asked  me  to  go 
with  you,"  he  burst  out,  looking  up  gratefully  into  the 
lieutenant's  face.  "  It's  going  to  be  splendid  fun,  I  know. 
How  soon  shall  we  go  there  ?  " 

"  Just  as  soon  as  we  can  fit  out.  If  there's  anything 
you  want  on  shore,  Dick,  you'd  better  lay  it  in.  It  may 
be  months  before  you  get  off  Diamond  Rock,  if  Boney's 
ships  don't  drive  you  off." 

Three  days  sufficed  for  the  necessary  preparations.  Sir 
Samuel  Hood  being  impatient  to  carry  out  his  design ; 
and  about  the  middle  of  November  the  "  Gryphon  "  sailed 
upon  her  curious  mission.  She  had  on  board  for  Dia- 
mond Rock  one  hundred  men,  sixty  being  sailors  and  the 
rest  marines,  carefully  picked  from  the  crews  of  the  dif- 
ferent vessels  in  port,  the  "  Gryphon  "  contributing  twenty- 
five  as  her  share,  besides  her  first  lieutenant  and  one  of 
her  midshipmen.  Half  a  dozen  guns,  a  large  quantity  of 
ammunition,  and  abundance  of  provisions,  and  water  in 
tanks,  constituted  the  garrison's  equipment. 

The  slant  across  to  Martinique  was  prosperously  made, 
no  sign  of  French  vessels  being  seen,  and  in  good  time 


DIAMOND  BOOK. 


191 


the  "  Grypboi  "  slipped  past  Point  Yarin,  and  stood  off 
the  mouth  of  Cul  de  Sac  Marin  to  reconnoitre.  The 
coaflt  waa  clear.  The  secret  had  been  well  kept,  and  no 
preparation  made  to  give  the  frigate  a  hostile  recep- 
tion. 

"  It  looks  as  though  we  were  going  to  have  plain  sail- 
ing, Dick,"  said  Mr.  McKinstry,  rubbing  his  hands  glee- 
fully together.  "  We  ought  to  be  able  to  get  everything 
up  on  the  Rock  in  a  couple  of  days,  if  the  weather  holds 
fine." 

"  Is  that  Diamond  Rock,  sir  ?  "  asked  Dick,  in  a  sur- 
prised tone,  pointing  to  a  peak  that  rose  sheer  out  of  the 
sea  right  before  them.  "How  under  the  skies  are  we 
ever  to  get  guns  up  there,  when  I  can't  make  out  any 
way  of  our  getting  up  ourselves  ?  " 

"  It'll  be  a  smart  job,  no  doubt,  my  boy ;  but  we  must 
manage  it  somehow.  There's  a  bit  of  a  beach  on  one 
side,  I  hear,"  answered  the  lieutenant.  A  smart  job  it 
proved,  indeed.  On  the  south,  the  island  stood  up  from 
the  water  as  straight  as  a  wall ;  on  the  east,  the  frowning 
cliffs,  marked  with  gaping  caves,  dared  any  one  to  ap- 
proach them ;  on  the  north,  a  steep  slope,  crowned  with  a 
grove  of  fig  trees,  offered  no  encouragement.  On  the  west 
side  alone  could  any  hint  of  a  landing  place  be  discov- 
ered, and  the  narrow  beach  visible  there  had  a  fringe  of 
foam  that  said  plainly :  "  Beware  of  breakers.'* 

But  breakers  or  no  breakers,  a  landing  had  to  be  ef- 
fected; and  Lieutenant  McKinstry,  accompanied  by 
Dick,  jumped  into  one  of  the  lightest  cutters,  and  with 


I  \- 


; 


I'll 
ii  ■ 


;■ 

Ifei^ 

In  '! 

"^  f  U        i 

1 

1  1 ' 

g 

1 

? ' 

'&  ' ' 

1 

rt 

1 

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t 

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■  ji, 

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1 

1  ^ ' 

1 

i  i   ' 

192 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


half  a  dozen  of  the  best  oarsmen,  rowed  for  the  shore. 
When  they  reached  the  outer  edge  of  the  breakers  the 
lieutenant,  taking  a  keen  glance  ahead,  gave  directions 
for  the  perilous  passage. 

"  Dick,  run  forward  there,  and  stand  by  the  moment 
she  beaches,  keeping  tight  grip  on  the  painter.  Now,  my 
men,  head  her  straight  for  the  shore,  and  pull  for  all 
you're  worth.    Give  way  I " 

As  one  man  the  six  brawny  sailors  buried  their  blades 
in  the  water,  making  the  stout  ash  bend  like  willow  wands 
in  their  grasp.  The  swift  boat  shot  forward  with  the  dart 
of  a  dolphin,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  breakers  were 
foaming  and  frothing  all  about  her. 

"  Steady,  now  I  steady  I  "  shouted  the  lieutenant,  "  all 
together.     Hit  her  up — hit  her  up ! " 

The  oarsmen  put  every  ounce  of  strength  they  had  into 
the  work,  looking  neither  to  right  or  left,  watching  only 
their  steersman.  Flung  from  billow  to  billow  like  a 
feather,  the  cutter  still  kept  on  her  way  until  a  huge 
comber  taking  her  upon  its  broad  bosom,  pitched  her 
high  up  the  weltering  beach. 

"  Jump  now,  Dick,  quick  I "  cried  Mr.  McKinstry. 

But  before  the  words  reached  Dick  he  had  sprung  from 
the  boat,  painter  in  hand,  and  running  out  its  whole 
length  dug  his  heels  into  the  sand  and  held  on,  while  the 
sailors  leaping  ashore  after  him,  grasped  the  gunwale,  and 
ere  the  next  billow  had  time  to  charge,  the  cutter  was 
beyond  its  reach. 

"  Well  done  all  I "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant.    "  Kroo- 


DIAMOND   ROCK. 


193 


men  couldn't  have  done  it  better.  Have  you  taken  much 
water?" 

Dick  was  pretty  well  sprinkled,  and  the  men  had  their 
feet  wet ;  but  the  hot  sun  would  soon  repair  that  mischief. 
And  in  high  spirits  they  made  the  boat  snug,  and  set  off 
t.0  explore  the  island. 

They  found  that  in  order  to  climb  its  precipito'is  back, 
they  must  crawl  around  to  the  northwest  side  through 
narrow  crannies  and  over  slippery  boulders,  at  no  small 
risk  of  broken  necks,  until  they  reached  the  slope  with 
the  fig  trees  a'top.  Then  the  going  became  less  difficult, 
and  presently  they  reached  the  grove,  and  with  vast  sighs 
of  relief  threw  themselves  down  to  rest  in  its  grateful 
shade. 

When  they  had  got  their  breath  they  completed  their 
survey  of  the  place.  It  proved  to  be  a  mass  of  rock  about 
a  mile  in  circumference,  and  rising  some  six  hundred  feet 
above  the  sea.  Caves  and  grottoes,  large  and  small,  pit- 
ted its  face,  tenanted  by  goats,  bats,  and  birds  without 
number ;  serpents  and  lizards  sunned  themselves  upon  the 
rocks,  or  slid  noiselessly  through  the  rank  herbage ;  rab- 
bits hopped  in  and  out  of  their  burrows ;  marine  and 
tropical  birds,  in  endless  variety  and  uncountable  num- 
bers, cawed  and  shrieked,  and  chattered  their  protests 
against  intrusion  upon  their  domain. 

It  was  wonderfully  interesting  to  Dick.  To  live  in  a 
big  cave,  on  an  uninhabited  island ;  to  hunt  birds  and 
goats  for  amusement,  and  cannonade  French  fleets  for 
business;   to  hold  this  fortress  against  the  attacks  the 


mUM 


.k 


I 


« 


«.«! 


n<: 


illii 


n.! ; 


M    ■ 
I     4 


I  'I 


I 


194 


THE  GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON, 


French  were  bound  to  make  so  soon  as  they  found  out 
what  had  been  done, — if  there  was  not  sufficient  of  both 
romance  and  adventure  about  this, — ^why,  he  didn't  know 
what  romance  and  adventure  meant. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  McKinstry  !  "  he  exclaimed,  out  of  the  full- 
ness of  his  heart.  "  How  glad  I  am  that  you  brought  me 
with  you.  I  wouldn't  wish  anything  better  than  to  stay 
on  Diamond  Eock,  and  I  do  hope  the  Frenchmen  will 
give  us  plenty  to  do." 

"  Never  you  fear  about  that,  my  fierce  little  fire-eater," 
smiled  the  lieutenant.  "  Once  Johnny  Crapaud  finds  us 
out  he'll  do  his  best  to  make  it  warm  for  us.  But,  see 
here,  we  must  look  about  for  some  way  of  getting  up  our 
guns,  and  other  things.  "VVe  can  never  bring  them 
through  those  breakers." 

A  careful  survey  of  the  rock  was  accordingly  made, 
but  no  practicable  mode  of  effecting  their  object  seemed 
to  present  itself,  and  the  lieutenant  felt  somewhat  discon- 
certed, when  a  happy  thought  flashed  into  Dick's  bright 
brain,  to  which  he  gave  instant  expression. 

"  I  have  a  plan,  sir,"  he  said,  modestly.  "  Perhaps  it 
could  be  worked." 

"  What  is  it,  Dick  ?    Let  us  have  it." 

"  Why,  sir,  if  the  *  Gryphon '  could  lay  alongside  the 
cliff  over  there,  a  hoisting  tackle  might  be  fixed  to  the  top 
of  the  rock,  and  the  guns  hove  up  by  the  men  on  board." 

Lieutenant  McKinstry  sprung  to  his  feet  with  a  regular 
whoop  and,  throwing  his  arms  around  Dick,  gave  him  a 
hug  worthy  of  a  bear. 


d  out 

both 

know 

3  full- 
lit  me 
5  stay 
a  will 

ater," 
ids  us 
it,  see 
p  our 
them 

uade, 
semed 
iscon- 
>right 

aps  it 


e  the 
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.ard." 
gular 
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Ir 

i"* 

The  Good  Sliip  Gryphon. 


Page  I9r>. 


DIAMOND   ROCK. 


195 


l! 


"  Zounds,  youngster,"  be  cried,  "  I  believe  you're  in- 
spired. Tbat's  tbe  very  tbing.  And  it  never  occurred 
to  me.  Come  along,  and  let's  take  a  good  look  at  tbe 
place,  and  tben  go  back  to  the  sbip  and  report." 

A  closer  examination  sbowed  that  Dick's  scbeme  was 
quite  feasible  so  long  as  tbe  sea  continued  calm,  and  in 
bigb  spirits  tliey  returned  to  tbe  "  Grypbon,"  getting  a 
good  drencbing  in  tbe  process  of  launching  tbe  cutter. 

Captain  Fitewell  at  once  approved  of  tbe  plan,  and 
gave  orders  for  it  to  be  carried  into  effect  without  delay. 
Fifty  men  were  sent  off  to  tbe  rock,  with  directions  to 
make  their  way  around  to  tbe  cliff.  The  frigate  care- 
fully edged  in  as  close  as  was  prudent,  keeping  her  po- 
sition by  anchors  out  fore  and  aft,  and  lines  fastened  to 
tbe  shore  by  means  of  grapnels.  A  life  line  was  tben 
shot  to  tbe  top  of  tbe  cliff,  and  by  it  a  heavier  rope  was 
drawn  up,  and  finally  a  great  cable,  which  served  as  a 
stay.  A  secure  purchase  was  fastened  to  the  rock,  trav- 
elers were  cleverly  arranged  to  pass  upon  tbe  stay,  tbe 
guns  were  lashed  to  these  travelers,  and  tben,  with  many 
a  "  heave  bo  "  and  "  all  together,"  tbe  heavy  masses  of 
metal  were  slowly,  but  successfully  hoisted  up  to  their 
airy  embrasures ;  Captain  Fitewell  looking  on  witb  ap- 
proving smiles,  and  rubbing  bis  bands  witb  satistaction 
at  tbe  prosperous  proceeding  of  so  daring  and  difficult  an 
enterprise. 

Good  fortune  attended  every  step  of  the  undertaking. 
The  weatber  continued  most  propitious  day  after  day. 
Not  a  mishap  occurred,  perilous  though  mucb  of  tbe 


t.- 


'i^! 


I 


196 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


i! 


1 1' 


1 


ll 


|!i 


I 


work  was;  no  French  men-of-war  appeared  upon  the 
Bcene  to  interfere  with  the  progress  of  business,  and  by 
the  end  of  the  third  day  Fort  Diamond  was  gunned, 
garrisoned,  provisioned,  and  ready  for  operations,  offen- 
sive and  defensive. 

On  the  king's  birthday  the  "  Union  Jack  "  flung  out 
its  scarlet  folds  gayly  to  the  breeze  from  the  topmost 
peak,  the  batteries  roared  out  a  royal  salute,  to  which  the 
frigate  replied.  Diamond  Rock  was  formally  put  in 
commission  as  a  sloop-of-war,  to  be  henceforth  rated  as 
such  upon  the  books  of  the  admiralty ;  and  then,  with  a 
parting  cheer,  the  "  Gryphon "  sailed  away,  leaving 
Lieutenant,  now  Captain  McKinstry,  and  his  little  force 
to  take  care  of  themselves. 

The  armament  of  the  rock  had  been  thus  arranged. 
On  the  northwest  side  was  the  slope  with  the  grove  of  fig 
trees,  having* (it  the  back  an  immense,  dry,  airy  grotto, 
which  Captain  McKinstry  selected  as  quarters  for  him- 
self and  his  staff.  Right  in  front  of  the  slope,  and  pro- 
jecting into  the  sea  was  the  King's  battery,  with  a 
twenty-four  pounder  commanding  the  entrance  to,  and 
nearly  the  whole  of  Cul-de-Sac  Marin.  From  this  bat- 
tery a  covered  way  led  to  the  northeast  side,  where 
another  twenty-four  pounder  stood  ready  for  business; 
this  being  called  "  Gryphon  "  battery.  Between  the  two 
batteries  a  rope  ladder  was  fixed,  by  which  the  garrison 
passed  to  the  middle  of  the  rock,  where  a  third  twenty- 
four  pounder  constituted  Hood's  battery.  Thence  the  as- 
cent to  the  top  wound  through  shrubs  and  over  crags,  and 


DIAMOND   ROCK. 


197 


upon  the  summit  were  two  long  eighteen^pounders,  and 
a  flag  stafi*  defiantly  flaunting  the  "  Union  Jack."  In  a 
sheltered  spot  near  where  they  had  first  landed,  was 
moored  one  of  the  large  boats  of  the  frigate  ready  for 
use,  if  needed,  in  any  future  enterprises. 

In  the  caves,  many  of  which  were  perfectly  dry  and 
clean,  were  stowed  carefully  away  abundance  of  ammu- 
nition, provisions,  and  water;  the  water  on  the  rock 
having  a  strong  mineral  quality,  which  prevented  its 
being  used  for  drinking  purposes. 

All  this  was  very  delightful  to  Dick.  It  outstripped 
anything  he  had  ever  read  in  the  way  of  adventure,  and 
it  added  much  to  the  enjoyment  that  he  had  a  compan- 
ion to  whom  he  could  exclaim  over  and  over  again  how 
delightful  it  was — for  Tenderly  was  with  him. 

When  the  poor  little  fellow  heard  of  Dick's  going  to 
Diamond  Hock,  he  made  up  his  mind  that  by  hook  or 
by  crook  he  would  go  too.  He  told  Dick  about  it,  and 
Dick  made  known  his  desire  to  Mr.  McKinstry. 

"  Tut  I  no,"  was  the  response  at  first.  "  I  don't  want 
him.  He's  not  good  for  anything.  He'd  only  be  in  the 
way." 

But  when,  after  Dick's  brilliant  solution  of  the  prob- 
lem of  landing  the  guns,  etc.,  he,  at  Tenderly's  solicita- 
tion, renewed  the  request  and  pressed  it  earnestly,  Mr. 
McKinstry  relented  enough  to  say : 

"  Well,  I  don't  mind  particularly.  Suppose  you  ask 
the  captain  about  it  yourself." 

Dick  promptly  took  the  hint,  and  preferred  his  peti 


ill 


ill!  ii: 


198 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


II  '- 

p 

i:  Ji  1 

if 

|! ;    *' 


;i  '\ 


tioD  at  headquarters.  Captain  Fitewell  waB  too  well 
pleased  with  his  ingenious  young  midshipman  to  refuse 
him  any  reasonable  request  and,  as  he  could  easily  spare 
Tenderly,  his  answer  was  satisfactory. 

"  Take  him  along  with  you,  by  all  means,  if  you  want 
him.  He'll  be  company  for  you,  and  he'll  be  out  of  the 
way  of  his  shipmates,  who  find  so  much  pleasure  in 
roughing  him." 

So,  to  his  unspeakable  joy.  Tenderly  got  permission  to 
accompany  his  doughty  champion,  and  lost  no  time  in 
making  the  necessary  preparations. 

In  the  course  of  a  couple  of  days  things  got  pretty 
well  into  shape  at  Diamond  Rock,  and  they  were  ready 
to  receive  visitors.  The  garrison  consisted  of  sixty 
sailors,  all  men  in  the  prime  of  life,  chosen  especially 
for  good  conduct,  and  forty  marines,  equally  good  in 
their  way  ;  the  latter  being  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Watson,  a  sociable,  good-natured  fellow,  and  ex- 
cellent officer,  who  made  the  fourth  member  of  a  quar- 
tette that  promised  to  pull  famously  together. 

The  ward  room,  as  they  called  the  cave  in  which  thej 
took  up  their  abode,  made  quite  comfortable  quarters ; 
being  high  in  the  roof,  large  in  extent,  and  as  free  from 
dampness  as  a  cave  in  the  West  Indies  could  be.  They 
had  a  respectable  outfit  of  tables  and  chairs  and,  instead 
of  slinging  their  hammocks  from  the  roof,  they  had 
stands  for  them  constructed,  which  were  very  conveni- 
ent. Each  man  brought  his  entire  kit,  for  there  was  no 
knowing  how  long  their  stay  might  be ;  and,  on  the  ad 


t      ! 


i  i 


1     i 


DIAMOND   ROCK. 


199 


Woe  of  Mr.  McKinstry,  Dick  had  provided  himself  at 
Barbadoes  with  a  good  shotgun  and  hunting  knife. 

By  the  first  of  December  they  all  felt  thoroughly  at 
home  and,  their  duties  being  comparatively  light,  there 
was  plenty  of  time  for  such  amusement  as  the  place  af- 
forded. Dick,  with  Tenderly  at  his  side,  set  himself 
first  of  all  to  explore  every  nook  and  cranny  of  the 
island,  and  many  a  narrow  escape  from  a  broken  neck 
he  had  in  doing  it.  He  found  a  thousand  things  to  inter- 
est him.  Wherever  it  could  gain  a  lodgment,  there  had 
gathered  the  black,  tropical  soil,  out  of  which  sprang  a 
vegetation  of  marvelous  richness  and  variety.  Trees  of 
small  stature  but  immense  vigor,  wrestled  with  one 
another  for  elbow  room  and  sunlight;  palms,  cedars, 
oaks,  and  iron-woods,  interlacing  and  strangling  each 
other  with  their  wildly  distorted  limbs,  while  over  and 
about  them  all  ran  the  climbing  lianas,  like  the  cordage 
of  a  full-rigged  ship,  and  the  parasites  that  fattened  upon 
the  decay  of  the  trunks  they  embraced,  perfect  types  of 
pitiless  ingratitude.  Dick  was  a  passionate  lover  of 
nature.  He  would  have  been  an  explorer,  if  he  had 
not  been  a  sailor,  and  his  feelings  were  not  different  &om 
those  of  a  Humbolt  or  Mungo  Park,  as  he  pushed  his 
way  through  the  wonders  of  the  tropics. 

Captain  McKinstry  had  served  many  years  on  the 
West  Indies  station,  and  the  surroundings  had  no  novelty 
for  him.  He  was  amused  at  Dick's  boyish  delight  in  his 
discoveries,  and  always  ready  to  listen  and  to  explain  to 
the  best  of  his  ability. 


i 


I 


200 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


f'\ 


?l!    i. 


"  But  you  must  be  very  careful,  Dick,  my  boy,"  he 
told  him.  "  There  are  trees  that  will  poison  you  if  you 
touch  them,  and  creepers  that  "will  blister  your  flesh  like 
fire,  and  then  the  serpents — give  them  all  a  wide  berth, 
for  you  don't  know  when  you  will  come  across  a  fer-dt- 
lance;  and  if  he  gives  you  the  merest  touch  of  his  fang, 
no  doctor  on  earth  can  help  you." 

"  The  fer-de-lance  1 "  exclaimed  Dick.  "  What  is  it 
like?" 

"  Well,  there  are  different  kinds  of  them ;  the  most 
common  being  the  dark  gray  with  black  spots.  But 
sometimes  it  is  a  bright  yellow,  or  yellowish  brown,  or 
black  with  yellow  belly,  and  so  on.  The  safest  way  is  to 
take  it  for  granted  that  any  snake  you  see  may  be  one  of 
these  dreadful  creatures,  and  bear  off  on  the  other  track 
as  sharp  as  you  can." 

"  1  hate  snakes  so  that  whenever  I  see  one  I  want  to 
kill  it  right  off,"  said  Dick,  looking  a  good  deal  awed. 
"  But  I'll  leave  them  alone  after  this.  I  don't  want  one 
of  them  to  kill  me." 

One  lovely  day,  toward  the  end  of  the  month,  Dick 
and  Tenderly  had  been  amusing  themselves  chasing  the 
goats,  of  which  one  was  occasionally  killed  for  the  ward- 
room mess,  and  scaring  the  rabbits  into  their  warrens 
They  were  making  their  way  back  to  the  cave,  hurrying 
somewhat  because  it  was  near  sundown  when,  in  passing 
by  a  banana  tree,  from  which  the  fruit  hung  in  golden 
clusters,  Dick  missed  a  footstep,  and  his  head  collided 
with  one  of  the  branches  of  fruit.    Instantly  a  sharp 


DIAMOND  BOCK. 


201 


hiss  cut  through  the  still  air  and,  as  he  recoiled  in  alarnii 
f^om  the  midst  of  the  bananas  a  supple  shape  of  bright 
yellow  was  seen  lo  rise,  to  writhe,  to  stretch  forward  a 
hideous  triangular  head  with  blazing  emerald  eyes. 

"  Dodge,  Dick,  quick  1 "  cried  Tenderly,  immediately 
realizing  the  awful  danger. 

For  a  moment  Dick  stood  petrified  with  terror,  and 
that  moment  almost  cost  him  hb  life.  Coiling  itself 
upon  the  top  of  the  banana  bunch,  the  terrible  Jer-de- 
lance  shot  out  its  death-dealing  head  straight  at  his  cheek. 
One  inch  farther,  and  the  fatal  fangs  would  have  been 
buried  in  the  smooth,  soft  flesh.  Tenderly  uttered  a 
heart-rending  cry.  To  him  it  appeared  as  if  the  serpent 
must  have  reached  its  mark.  But,  by  the  mercy  of  God, 
the  vile  creature  failed.  Although  his  feet  seemed  rooted 
to  the  spot,  Dick  instinctively  threw  back  his  head,  and 
with  a  hiss  of  disappointment  the  viper  fell  short  and 
reformed  his  coil  for  another  stroke. 

Then  came  Tenderly*s  opportunity.  The  boys  always 
carried  their  cutlasses  with  them.  They  were  very  use- 
ful in  cutting  through  the  lianas  that  often  blocked  tlieir 
way.  Tenderly 's  was  in  his  hand  when  the  serpent  re- 
vealed itself,  and  now  Dick's  imminent  peril  called  forth 
all  that  was  heroic  in  the  gentle,  timid  lad.  As  the  Jer- 
de-lance,  with  the  quickness  of  thought  gathered  itself 
together  upon  the  bananas.  Tenderly  sprang  forward, 
shouting : 

**  Take  that,  you  devil  I "  and  slashed  at  it  with  all  his 
might. 


i 


$1 


202 


THE   aOf)D  SHIP  ailYPHON, 


ill! 


I! 


^1      lii 


I     \ 


It  was  a  blow  at  random,  but  it  could  not  have  done 
better  work  had  it  been  aimed  with  the  utmost  deliber- 
ation. The  horrible  head  of  the  serpent  was  just  rearing 
itself  from  the  coil,  and  the  keen  cutlass,  descending 
slantingly  upon  it,  sheared  clean  through  the  narrowed 
neck,  casting  the  hideous  flat  triangle  right  at  Dick's  feet. 

Dropping  his  cutlass.  Tenderly  threw  his  arms  about 
his  companion,  crying  anxiously :  *'  Dick,  did  he  touch 
you  ?  " 

As  if  awakening  from  a  dream,  Dick  shook  himself, 
and  felt  his  cheek  carefully. 

"  No,  Arthur,  he  missed  me,  thank  God  1 "  he  answered. 
"  But  oh,  I  thought  I  was  done  for  1 " 

When  the  story  was  told  in  the  ward  room,  Tenderly 
went  up  many  points  in  Captain  McKinstry's  estimation ; 
and,  as  between  the  boys  themselves,  it  bound  them  still 
closer  in  their  ever-strengthening  friendship.  The  ex- 
perience, moreover,  put  a  damper  upon  their  ardor  for 
exploration,  and  they  were  beginning  to  find  the  island 
rather  dull  when,  on  a  bright  morning  in  March,  the 
lookout  at  the  peak  reported  the  approach  of  a  number 
of  vessels  sailing  in  company. 

"  A  French  convoy,  ten  chances  to  one,"  exclaimed 
Captain  McKinstry.  "  Just  what  we've  been  waiting 
for.  Now,  then,  let  us  get  ready  to  give  them  a  warm 
reception." 


i 

1 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


A  GALLANT  DEFENSE. 

THE  war  between  England  and  France  waa  now  at  its 
height,  and  both  nations  were  straining  every  effort 
to  crush  the  other.  Spain  too  had  taken  a  hand  in  the 
conflict,  entering  into  alliance  with  France  against  Eng- 
land, and  thereby  greatly  increasing  the  work  of  the 
British  navy,  which  had  thenceforth  to  be  scattered  over 
a  wider  space,  and  its  strength  divided.  Counting  upon 
this,  Napoleon,  who  had  hitherto  attempted  little  in  the 
line  of  naval  operations,  dispatched  a  powerful  fleet  to 
the  West  Indies,  with  the  object  of  harassing  the  English 
possessions  there,  even  though  permanent  conquest  might 
not  be  accomplished.  He  hoped  for  this,  for  he  well 
knew  their  maritime  and  commercial  importance,  and  he 
felt  that  the  stake  to  be  won  was  amply  worth  the  eflbrt 
he  made  to  secure  it.  Being  joined  by  a  number  of 
Spanish  vessels,  the  squadron  managed  to  elude  the  Brit- 
ish fleets,  and  at  Dominica  and  St.  Christopher  did  a  good 
deal  of  damage,  besides  securing  considerable  plunder, 
with  which  it  was  returning  in  triumph  to  Martinique, 
when  reported  by  the  lookout  on  Diamond  Rock. 

The  spectacle  presented  was  certainly  an  imposing  one, 
as  fifteen  sail  of  the  line, — eight  being  Spanish  and  seven 

French. — with  a  whole  cloud  of  frigates,  schooners,  and 

203 


I 


i^;  ■  ii' 


f^rv'  5 


'ill  ^^ 


204 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


smaller  craft  in  attendance,  bore  down  in  orderly  array 
for  Cul-de-Sac  Marin,  knowing  nothing  of  the  wasps'  nest 
that  had  been  established  off  its  entrance. 

Intense  was  the  excitement,  but  perfect  the  discipline, 
at  the  British  stronghold.  There  would  be  work  for  all 
this  morning,  the  manifest  purpose  of  the  squadron  being 
to  pass  to  both  right  and  left  of  the  little  island  that 
looked  so  innocent  of  harm.  On  they  came  before  a 
steady  breeze  until  they  were  well  within  range  of  the 
King's  and  Gryphon  batteries.  Then  the  Union  Jack 
suddenly  ran  to  the  top  of  the  signal  mast,  and  as  its  red 
folds  floated  out  upon  the  breeze,  the  twenty-four  pound- 
ers spoke  together,  and  their  iron  missiles  with  admirable 
aim  went  crashing  into  the  sides  of  the  two  leading 
ships. 

The  amazement  and  alarm  of  those  on  board  the  fleet 
would  be  difficult  to  picture.  They  could  not  have  been 
more  surprised  had  their  own  admiral  turned  his  guns 
upon  them.  No  hint  had  they  received  of  their  foes  hav- 
ing found  a  foothold  so  close  to  one  of  their  own  posses- 
sions. Yet  there  was  the  British  flag  flaunting  itself  in 
their  faces ;  and  that  was  British  thunder  and  British 
iron,  beyond  a  doubt. 

What  did  it  mean  ?  How  great  wat.;  the  strength  of  the 
forces  upon  the  island  ?  Did  the  Rock  bristle  with  can- 
non and  bayonets,  like  a  gigantic  hedgehog,  or  were  there 
only  a  gun  or  two,  and  a  handful  of  daring  men,  who 
would  soon  be  made  to  pay  dearly  for  their  temerity  ?  In 
lively  perturbation  the  French  and  Spanish  admirals  and 


A   GALLAKT   DEFENSE. 


205 


r 


ly  array 
sps'  nest 

scipline, 
:  for  all 
311  being 
ind  that 
before  a 
;e  of  the 
on  Jack 
s  its  red 
p  pound- 
Imirable 
leading 

the  fleet 
ve  been 
is  guns 
)es  hav- 

posses- 
tself  in 

British 

1  of  the 
th  can- 
re  there 
n,  who 
y?  In 
ils  and 


their  captains  scanned  Diamond  Rock  with  their  tele 
scopes.   But,  peer  as  eagerly  as  they  might,  nothing  could 
they  make  out  save  a  glint  of  white  as  a  sailor  moved 
through  the  thick  foliage,  or  the  flasli  of  the  cannon  that 
meantime  kept  up  a  steady,  well-directed  fire. 

Dick  and  Tenderly,  with  ten  good  men,  were  at  the 
summit,  training  the  long  eighteen  pounders  downward 
until  they  pointed  straight  at  their  mark,  and  then  sent 
shot  after  shot  tearing  through  the  sails  or  into  the  decks 
of  the  approaching  vessels.  Bulwarks  were  splintered, 
guns  were  dismounted,  rigging  and  spars  were  damaged, 
and  many  a  poor  fellow  was  disabled,  so  accurate  was 
their  aim  and  so  advantageous  was  their  position. 

"  My  eye  I "  Dick  shouted.  "  But  this  is  glorious. 
What  would  Boney  think  if  he  could  only  see  us  knock- 
ing the  splinters  out  of  his  fine  ships  in  this  style  ?  Well 
done,  Tom  I "  turning  to  big  Tom  Taffrail,  the  gunner, 
who  had  just  sent  a  shot  smash  into  the  bulwarks  of  a 
Spanish  ship  of  the  line.  "  That  was  a  beauty  !  What 
a  bewildered  lot  of  ])lokes  they  must  be,  to  be  sure  ?  " 

The  fire  from  the  Rock  was  terribly  destructive.  The 
wind  was  such  that  the  vessels  could  not  bear  away. 
Their  only  resource  was  to  keep  straight  on  until  they 
could  pass  beyond  range ;  and  as  luck  would  have  it,  the 
breeze  fell  before  they  could  all  accomplish  this,  leaving  a 
group  of  them  right  under  the  guns  of  the  batteries. 

In  the  whole  history  of  the  British  navy  there  prob- 
ably never  was  such  an  extraordinary  target  practice ; 
for  although  the  ships  replied  to  the  best  of  their  ability, 


'1:: 


m 


206 


THE  GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I    I 


they  might  just  as  well  have  saved  their  ammunitioiii 
Their  tormentors  were  so  high  above  them  that  only  mor- 
tars could  reach  them,  and  the  fleet  had  no  mortars  on 
board.  So  they  were  fain  to  content  themselves  with 
fierce  and  futile  pounding  at  the  foot  of  the  cliffs,  while 
Captain  McKinstry  and  his  merry  men,  safely  ensconced 
above  the  line  of  fire,  pegged  away  without  the  distrac- 
tion of  having  to  dodge  an  iron  hail. 

After  the  cannonade  had  been  going  on  for  some  time, 
Dick's  heart  began  to  relent.  It  didn't  seem  a  fair  fight, 
hammering  like  this  at  vessels  which  could  make  no  re- 
turn. So  he  scrambled  down  the  rope-ladder,  and,  going 
up  to  the  captain,  asked : 

"  Shall  we  soon  cease  firing,  sir  ?  We've  given  them  a 
pretty  bad  dose  already." 

"  Cease  firing,  Dick !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  McKinstry,  in 
surprise.     "  What  for  ?     Is  your  powder  giving  out  ?  " 

"Oh,  no,  sir,'*  Dick  replied.  "But  it  doesn't  seem 
quite  fair  keeping  it  up  when  they  can't  hit  back." 

"  It's  not  our  business  to  think  of  that,  Dick,"  was  the 
answer.  "  They  are  the  king's  enemies,  all  of  them,  and 
the  more  damage  we  can  do  them  the  better.  So  Ijack 
to  your  battery,  and  fire  away  until  the  last  vessel's  out 
of  range." 

His  mind  relieved  by  these  orders,  Dick  returned,  and 
the  long  eighteens,  which  had  grown  cool  during  his  ab- 
sence, soon  got  warm  again,  as  they  sent  shot  after  shot 
into  the  vessels  below. 

Presently  the  wind  rose,  the  white  sails  of  the  ships  and 


li.;   '.' 


A   GALLANT   DEFENSE. 


207 


i.i'; 


" 


Qunitioa 
nly  raor- 
>rtars  on 
Vii9  with 
fs,  while 
asconced 
distrac- 

ine  time, 
lir  fight, 
B  no  re- 
d,  going 

them  a 

istry,  in 
ut  ?  " 
't  seem 

was  the 
!m,  and 
5o  ]jack 
el's  out 

ed,  and 
his  ab- 
er  shot 

ps  and 


Br.hooners  bellied  out  gladly  before  it,  they  began  one  by 
one  to  glide  out  of  range,  and  within  two  hours  from  the 
time  it  began,  the  fight  was  over.  With  sails  torn,  rig- 
ging damaged,  bulwarks  splintered,  decks  pierced,  and 
many  men  killed  and  wounded,  the  allied  squadron  sailed 
into  Cul-de-Sac  Marin. 

"  We'll  soon  hear  from  them  again,"  said  Captain  Mc- 
Kinstry,  as  they  were  talking  over  the  events  of  the  can- 
nonade in  the  ward-room  grotto.  "  I  wish  to  heaven  some 
of  our  vessels  would  come  along  and  re-stock  us  with 
water  and  ammunition  ;  for  as  sure  as  my  name's  Gordon 
we'll  have  a  siege  of  it." 

The  Union  Jack  was  hoisted  upside  down  in  token  of 
distress,  and  the  sea  was  swept  by  the  glasses  day  after 
day ;  but  no  sign  of  a  British  vessel  appeared  to  glad- 
den the  eyes  of  the  lookouts.  In  the  meantime  every 
preparation  was  made  for  a  lengthened  siege.  Yet  the 
weeks  passed,  and  the  enemy  came  not. 

Then  one  cloudy  afternoon  a  solitary  sail  was  observed 
beating  up  from  the  south  against  a  northeast  wind.  With 
what  intense  eagerness  every  movement  of  the  vessel  was 
watched  as  she  tacked  to  and  fro,  evidently  making  either 
for  Diamond  Rock,  or  Cul-de-sac  Marin  !  On  she  came, 
dipping  and  rising  through  the  white  caps  until  every  sail 
could  be  distinguished.  Captain  McKinstry  was  scru- 
tinizing her  with  beating  heart.  Suddenly  he  dropped 
the  telescope,  and  sung  out,  joyfully : 

"  The  blessed  old  *  Gryphon,'  and  no  mistake  1  Hurrah  I 
We'll  get  everything  we  need  now." 


'Mo 


ii 


'       I: 


20S 


THE   GOOD   SHIP    (3KYPIION. 


'i   I 


The  "  Gryphon  "  it  wiia — come  to  hoc  what  Tvas  wantoci 
at  Diamond  Rock,  and  to  renew  snppliea.  Up  under  the 
loc  of  the  rock  slie  cleverly  tacked,  and  tlien  hove  to  with 
♦he  signal  flying  to  come  on  hoard. 

"I  will  go  off  to  the  ship,  Dick,"  said  Captain  McKin- 
stry,  "  and  leave  you  in  charge  till  I  come  hack.  Don't 
let  the  Rock  run  away  with  you." 

Dick  laughed  nuirily.  "  No  fear  of  the  Rock  running 
away  with  me,  sir ;  hut  please  don't  let  the  '  Gryphon ' 
run  away  with  you,  or  we'll  all  be  in  a  pretty  bad  fix 
here,"  he  answered.  He  did  not  know  how  much  of  a 
prophet  he  was,  and  he  had  no  misgiving  as  his  com- 
mander left  them. 

There  was  a  hearty  welcome  on  board  the  frigate  for 
the  commander  of  Diamond  Rock,  and  to  a  profoundly 
interested  audience  in  the  captain's  cabin  he  told  the  story 
of  the  attack  upon  the  allied  fleet  with  great  gusto,  while 
the  cabin  rang  with  praises  of  himself  and  his  men. 

In  the  meantime,  a  sudden  and  serious  change  took 
place  in  the  weather.  The  sky  darkened  and  lowered 
until  it  seemed  as  though  the  heavy  clouds  were  resting 
upon  the  peak  of  the  Rock ;  the  wind  sank  into  an  om- 
inous calm,  and  again  burst  forth  into  gusts  of  fitful  vio- 
lence. The  ail  felt  murky  and  oppressive.  So  threaten- 
ing were  the  appearances  that  the  officer  on  watch  took 
upon  himself  to  send  word  to  Mr.  IMcKinstry  that  the 
weather  was  getting  very  ugly,  and  he  had  perhaps  bet- 
ter run  up  on  deck  to  have  a  look  at  it. 

Captain  McKinstry  appeared  at  once  in  response  te 


m 


A    (JAMiANT    DKPENSE. 


209 


this  summona,  and  as  lie  did,  a  Cwrcx)  bliwt  of  wind 
rushed  down  from  tlio  mountains  of  Martinique,  and 
whirUMl  his  cap  from  off  \m  hond.  'I'lie  sails  of  the  frig- 
ate wlueh  iiad  been  left  unfurled  filled  out  and  nt rained 
at  their  holt  ro[)es  as  thou<;h  they  would  tear  themsolvefl 
away,  the  deep  hlaek  water  hoilcMl  up  into  foam  and  spray 
that  swept  across  tluj  deeks.  IJeyond  a  douht,  one  of 
those  sudden  storms  which  are  the  banc  of  that  beautiful 
region  had  burst  upon  the  "(iryphon." 

Captain  Fitcwell  immcMliately  gave  command  to  slip 
the  anchor,  take  in  tlie  sails,  and  run  olf  before  the  wind. 
To  have  attempted  to  remain  beside  Diamond  Rock 
would  have  been  to  court  destruction ;  for  the  gale  now 
came  thundering  down  with  such  violence  that  all  the 
canvas  had  to  be  clewcid  up  excuipt  a  closo-reefed  main- 
topsail  and  reefed  foresail,  and  then  almost  under  bare 
poles  the  frigate  scuddiMl  away  into  the  gathering  dark- 
ness, carrying  off  the  commander  of  Diamond  Rock, 
very  much  indeed  against  his  will,  and  with  his  mind 
filled  with  anxiety  for  tlie  little  garrison  he  was  leaving 
beliind.  lie  felt  sure  that  the  allied  squadron  would 
make  another  attempt  on  his  fortress,  and  he  did  not 
want  it  to  take  place  during  his  absence.  He  was  in  for 
it,  though,  and  he  had  to  sul)mit  with  what  grace  he  could. 

When  his  captain  boarded  the  frigate,  Dick  ascended 
Summit  battery,  and  there,  spy-glass  in  hand,  amused 
himself  h)oking  down  on  the  "Gryphon,"  and  trying  to 
make  out  the  different  figures  on  her  deck.  From  the 
lofly  eyrie  he  had  the  first  glimpse  of  the  approaching 


H 


II 


<> 


■  'B* 


it  ^-'. 


nii* 


n 


i :; .  ; 


210 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


storm,  and  as  he  saw  the  heavens  darkening  to  the  north- 
east, he  exclaimed  to  Tenderly  : 

"  My  gracious,  Arthur,  look  at  that  I  There's  a  hurri- 
cane coming,  sure  as  life.  What  will  the  *  Gryphon  *  do  ? 
She'll  have  to  get  out  of  this,  that's  sure.  It  won't  do  for 
her  to  stay  around  here,  or  she'll  find  herself  upon  the 
rocks." 

With  breathless  concern  the  boys  watched  the  storm 
sweep  down  on  the  vessel,  and  then,  as  she  slipped  her  an- 
chor and  bore  away  before  it  out  into  the  seething  ocean, 
Dick  could  not  help  saying,  with  a  laugh : 

"  Captain  McKiustry  told  me  not  to  let  the  Rock  run 
away  with  me,  and  I  told  him  not  to  let  the  '  Gryphon ' 
run  away  with  him.  And  now  he's  gone  and  done  it, 
after  all." 

But  Tenderly  did  not  feel  much  like  laughing.  The 
sight  of  the  vanishing  vessel  carrying  off  their  commander 
made  him  feel  more  like  crying. 

"  Oh,  Dick,  what  will  we  do  ?  "  he  broke  out.  "  How 
will  Captain  McKinstry  get  back  to  us  ?  " 

"  The  best  way  he  can,  Arthur,  as  soon  as  the  gale's 
over,"  replied  Dick,  cheerfully.  "  But  come ;  we'd  better 
make  for  cover.    It's  going  to  be  a  wild  night." 

A  wild  night  it  was,  indeed.  Such  a  night  they 
had  not  yet  experienced  on  the  Rock.  The  storm  raged 
furiously  until  dawn,  bringing  with  it  a  tremendous  fall 
of  rain,  and  then  disappeared  as  suddenly  as  it  came, 
the  sun  rising  in  a  cloudless  sky,  to  flood  with  gloriouii 
rays  the  well-washed  face  of  nature. 


pll 

iiii 

ii 

^Hil 

'j'i 

^■11  j 

iin 

A  GALLANT  DEFENSE. 


211 


*How 

gale's 
better 


Ab  soon  as  it  was  liglit,  the  boys  mounted  again  to  the 
summit,  to  look  out  for  the  "  Gryphon."  So  closely  were 
they  occupied  in  this  that  they  had  no  eyes  for  the  other 
direction  until  Tom  Taffrail,  wlio  was  with  them,  happen- 
ing to  take  a  glance  slioreward,  uttered  one  of  bis  most 
expressive  exclanuitions,  as  he  shouted : 

"Mister  Holland — look  there  1  What  do  you  think 
of  that  ?  " 

Dick  whirled  around,  and  turned  his  glass  in  the  direc- 
tion indicated  One  look  was  sufficient  to  explain  the 
gunner's  interruption.  The  entrance  to  Port  Royal  was 
fairly  white  with  canvas.  A  fleet  as  large  as  the  one 
which  had  given  the  garrison  such  rare  sport  a  few  weeks 
before,  was  bearing  down  upon  the  rock  in  majestic 
array. 

"  Good  gracious  !  "  cried  Dick.  "  They're  going  to 
attack  us,  and  Captain  McKinstry  is  away  1 " 

"  That's  about  the  meaning  of  it,  sir,"  said  Tom,  grimly. 
"  The  Dons  and  Moosoos  weren't  going  to  leave  this  hor- 
nets' nest  alone  long." 

"  And  what  shall  we  do  without  our  captain  ?  "  queried 
Dick,  in  no  small  consternation. 

"  Do  tlie  same  as  if  he  was  here,  sir,"  replied  Tom, 
firmly.     "  Fight  the  rascals  till  our  powder's  done." 

"  But  who'll  take  command,  Tom  ?  '*  asked  the  boy, 
still  too  bewildered  to  think  clearly. 

"  Beggin'  your  pardon,  sir,  for  being  so  forward  as  to 
say,  sir,  but  if  Mr.  Watson  '11  look  after  his  marines,  we 
sailors  '11  take  our  orders  from  you,  sir,  just  the  same  of 


III 


212 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I   ,r.< 


m'<\  f- 


if  you  was  Captain  McKinstry  himself,"  was  honest  Tom's 
response. 

The  greatness  of  the  idea  fairly  staggered  Dick  ;  and 
with  a  kind  of  gasp  he  protested : 

"  But,  Tom,  hadn't  Mr.  Watson  better  take  command 
of  us  all?" 

Tom's  rugged  face  darkened.  A  lieutenant  of  marines 
take  command  of  a  company  of  blue  jackets!  Never, 
so  long  as  there  was  a  genuine  naval  officer  at  hand,  how- 
ever small  his  stature,  or  junior  his  rank.  Sailors  are  not 
wont  to  entertain  much  respect  for  the  red-coated  sea 
soldiers. 

"  Beggin'  your  pardon  again,  sir,  but  that  wouldn't 
work  at  all.  You'll  be  our  captain,  if  you  please,  sir," 
he  persisted. 

Dick  was  now  beginning  to  get  his  breath.  The  spirit 
stirred  mightily  within  him.  It  was  a  glorious  oppor- 
tunity. He  would  take  command  of  the  sailors,  and 
figlit  it  out  with  the  foreign  fleet  until  the  last  pound 
of  powder  was  spent. 

Springing  to  his  feet,  with  a  radiant,  determined  face, 
he  held  out  his  hand  to  the  big  gunner : 

"  We'll  do  it,  Tom,"  he  cried,  as  the  huge  brown  paw 
enfolded  his.  "  You  and  I  together ;  and  let  us  get  to 
work  right  away." 

Lieutenant  Watson  was  not  overly  well  pleased  when 
he  heard  of  the  arrangement.  But  he  had  sufficient  pene- 
tration to  perceive  that  any  argument  would  be  worse 
than  useless  and,  like  a  royal  servant  of  the  king,  he 


A  GALLANT   DEFENSE. 


213 


net  himself  to  perform  his  part  to  the  best  of  his  ability. 
He  posted  his  two  score  of  marines  in  the  shrubbery  that 
faced  the  bit  of  beach,  so  that  they  could,  without  ex- 
posing themselves,  pour  a  galling  fire  upon  any  boats 
that  might  attempt  to  effect  a  landing.  A  dozen  sailors 
armed  with  boarding  pikes  and  cutlasses  took  up  posi- 
tions on  either  flank  of  his  force,  while  the  remaining 
blue  jackets  were  divided  among  the  batteries.  Dick 
went  up  to  Summit  battery.  Tenderly  was  assigned  to 
Hood's  battery,  Tom  Taffrail  to  the  King's,  and  then 
Diamond  Rock  was  ready  for  action. 

The  hostile  fleet  presented  an  imposing  appearance  as 
it  moved  out  of  the  bay  and  invested  Diamond  Rock. 
It  consisted  of  the  "  Pluton  "  and  "  Berwick,"  stately 
seventy-fours,  towering  up  like  veritable  castles;  the 
"  Sirene,"  a  stout  forty-gun  frigate ;  the  "  Argus,"  a 
trim  brig  mounting  sixteen  guns ;  "  Le  Fien,"  a  schooner 
showing  eighteen  swivels ;  and  eleven  gunboats,  each  car- 
rying three  guns  of  small  calibre.  On  board  the  vessels 
were  fifteen  hundred  troops,  provided  with  scaling  lad- 
ders and  every  appurtenance  for  a  siege.  Nearly  three 
hundred  guns,  and  full  three  thousand  men  come  out  to 
attack  one  hundred  men  and  five  guns.  Well  was  it  for 
the  defenders  of  Diamond  Rock  that  their  position  was 
as  strong  as  nature  could  make  it,  while  their  assailants 
had  no  sort  of  cover. 

Completely  encircling  the  island,  so  as  to  engage  all 
its  batteries  at  once,  the  French  fleet  approached  within 
easy  range.    Then  the  big  "  Berwick  "  opened  fire  and, 


m 


214 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


\M'     '  f 


|::  m 


J.-it 


the  other  vessels  rapidly  followiDg  her  example,  in  a  few 
minutes  the  action  was  in  full  swing. 

What  a  wonderful  scene  it  made  on  that  bright  May 
morning  I  The  little  island  thrusting  its  rocky  peak 
high  into  air,  and  decked  with  draperies  of  vivid  emer- 
ald, from  amidst  which  leaped  out  frequent  flashed  of 
lightning,  followed  by  the  thunder  of  cannon  and  the 
rattle  of  musketry;  the  ring  of  ships  belching  forth 
flame  and  smoke  like  so  many  fabled  dragons ;  the  cloud 
of  gunboats  dodging  actively  about  in  search  of  a  land- 
ing place,  and  meantime  keeping  up  a  heavy  fire  from 
small  arms ;  the  sound  of  splintering  wood  as  the  iron 
messengers  from  the  rock  crashed  into  the  vessels'  sides ; 
or  of  rending  rocks  as  the  French  cannon-balls  smote  the 
cliffs  and  smashed  them  into  fragments,  while  the  dense 
smoke  rolled  up  in  great  clouds  that  sometimes  hid  the 
ships  from  the  lower  batteries. 

High  up  in  the  peak,  Dick's  vision  was  unobscured, 
and  with  his  eighteen-pounders  trained  down  until  they 
pointed  straight  now  at  the  enemy's  deck,  and  now  at  his 
rigging  to  disable  him,  he  did  a  world  of  damage  as  he 
fired  away  as  fast  as  the  heating  of  the  guns  would  allow 
him.  He  did  not  fail  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  seaward 
for  the  "  Gryphon,"  and  shortly  after  midday  he  caught 
sight  of  her  rising  up  on  the  horizon. 

"Thank  God!"  he  ejaculated.  "There's  the  'Gry- 
phon.' She'll  soon  find  out  what's  the  matter  and  hurry 
off"  to  Barbadoes  for  assistance.  If  we  can  only  hold  out 
a  few  days,  the  French  won't  take  as,  after  all." 


{:  ft!* 


A  GALLANT  DEFENSE. 


216 


n  a  few 

ht  May 
y  peak 

emer- 
shed  of 
ind  the 

forth 
le  cloud 
a  land- 
re  from 
he  iron 
i'  sides ; 
lote  the 
le  dense 
hid  the 

jscured, 
til  they 
w  at  his 
B  as  he 
d  allow 
seaward 
caught 

5  *  Gry. 
I  hurry 
lold  out 


The  frigate  came  on  until  she  was  almost  within  can- 
non shot.  Evidently,  Captain  Fitewell  wanted  to  see 
just  how  the  matter  stood,  and  the  Frenchmen  were  too 
busy  bombarding  the  rock  to  pay  him  any  attention.  So 
near  did  the  "  Gryphon  "  approach  that  Dick  grew  anx- 
ious. 

"  My  gracious  I  "  he  exclaimed.  "  She  shouldn't  come 
so  near ;  one  of  the  seventy-fours  might  turn  on  her." 

But  as  he  spoke  the  "  Gryphon  "  veered  ;  round,  pointed 
her  bow  in  the  direction  of  Barbadoes  and  went  scudding 
off  before  the  wind  in  fine  style. 

"  Now  then  I  must  go  around  and  tell  the  others,"  said 
Dick.    "  It  will  cheer  them  up." 

So  he  made  the  rounds  of  the  batteries,  telling  the 
good  news  that  the  "  Gryphon  "  had  gone  off  to  bring  them 
aid,  and  getting  a  hearty  cheer  from  each  section  of  the 
garrison  in  return. 

At  the  King's  battery  he  found  Tom  Tafirail  very 
much  troubled.  It  seemed  that  the  tremendous  cannon- 
ade against  the  rock,  while  it  did  not  directly  injure  any 
of  the  garrison,  threatened  to  do  so  indirectly,  for  the 
iron  hail  was  smashing  the  cliffs  into  smithereens,  and 
sending  down  showers  of  fragments  upon  the  men  that 
made  their  position  increasingly  dangerous. 

"I'm  afraid  we'll  have  to  clear  out  of  here,  Mr. 
Holland,"  said  Tom,  in  very  regretful  tones.  **  There's 
been  three  of  the  men  hurt  already,  and  it's  getting 
worse  all  the  time." 

As  he  spoke,  a  broadside  from  the  "  Berwick  "  flew  over 


216 


THE   (iOOD  SHIP   GIlYPnON. 


Mh 


,  v.! ;; 


11 


their  IioiuIh,  making  every  man  duck  involuntarily  as  it 
whistled  past,  and  plunging  into  tlic  cliff,  sent  down  a 
regular  avahmche,  that  burst  upon  the  battery,  felling 
several  of  the  men  to  tlic  ground,  dismantling  one  of  the 
guns,  and  knocking  Dick  himself  off  his  feet. 

So  heavily  did  he  come  to  the  ground  that  for  a 
moment  he  was  stunned,  and  when  he  recovered  his 
senses  Tom  was  bathing  his  face  with  water. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Holland  I  are  you  much  hurt,  sir  ?  "  cried  the 
gunner,  anxiously. 

Dick  felt  very  dizzy,  but  not  otherwise  the  worse  for 
the  shot,  and  on  examining  himself  was  rejoiced  to  find 
that  a  slight  scalp  wound,  received  when  he  fell,  waa  the 
extent  of  his  injuries. 

But  all  had  not  got  off  so  well,  one  man  had  been 
badly  wounded  in  the  head,  another's  leg  was  broken, 
a  third  groaned  over  a  crushed  foot.  Dick's  mind  was 
at  once  made  up. 

"  We'll  have  to  leave  here,  Tom,  and  let  the  beggars 
land  if  they  can.  I'll  go  and  tell  Mr.  Watson  to  bring 
his  men  up  to  Hood's  battery.  We'll  be  all  safe  up 
there." 

Accordingly  the  men  were  withdrawn  from  the  lower 
ranges  of  the  rock,  the  guns  were  spiked,  such  of  the 
powder  as  could  not  be  carried  up  was  thrown  into  the 
sea,  and  then  every  one  having  safely  reached  Hood's 
battery  the  ladders  were  drawn  up,  thus  cutting  off  all 
means  of  communication  with  the  portion  of  the  rock 
below. 


A   GALLANT   DKFI:N>E. 


217 


I 


It  would  appear  that  the  evacuation  of  the  lower  de- 
fenses did  not  pass  unobf»»erved  on  board  the  fleet,  for 
presently  the  gun-boats  made  a  concerted  movement 
directed  at  the  beach  below  the  now  silent  King's  battery. 
In  spite  of  a  gallin;,'  fire  of  musketry  from  above,  and 
the  rolling  down  of  rocks  and  cannon  balls  upon  them, 
they  gallantly  persisted,  and  at  length,  just  before  dusk, 
success  crowned  their  efforts. 

"  My  gracious ;  they've  landed ! "  exclaimed  Dick,  who 
had  been  peeping  over  the  edge  of  the  cliff.  "  They're  on 
the  rock.  It'll  be  man  to  man  now,  and  only  ninety  of 
us  in  fighting  trim  I " 


! 


::f 


\ 


I 


/ 


J  i 


'     3| 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


AN  HONORABLE  SURRENDER. 


N  ' 


iii ;:  I 


IN  what  force  the  French  had  landed,  it  was  impossible 
to  tell,  for  darkness  swiftly  followed  the  sunset,  and 
there  was  nothing  to  do  but  wait  for  the  morning.  Not 
much  sleep  had  any  of  the  little  garrison  that  night. 
Dick  never  closed  his  eyes.  He  was  possessed  with  the 
idea  that  under  cover  of  favoring  darkness  the  enemy 
would  manage  to  clamber  up  the  crags  somehow,  and 
take  them  by  surprise.  So  he  kept  watch  until  dawn, 
picking  his  way  cautiously  along  the  ledges,  and  listening 
intently  for  any  sound  that  might  betray  the  near  ap- 
proach of  any  assailant. 

But  the  welcome  day  broke  without  any  such  attempt 
being  made ;  and,  bidding  Tom  Taffrail  pay  particular 
attention  to  those  who  had  landed,  he  went  into  one  of 
the  caves  and  took  a  short  sleep,  from  which  he  awoke 
wonderfully  refreshed. 

He  was  glad  to  find  that  a  strong  wind  had  sprung  up, 
as  this  compelled  the  besieging  fleet  to  change  its  tactics. 
The  ships  could  no  longer  lie  composedly  at  anchor  and 
belch  broadsides  upon  the  rock.  They  were  compelled  to 
weigh  anchor  and  spread  their  sails,  for  the  anchorage 
was  none  of  the  best ;  and  to  remain  in  the  position  they 
had  occupied  would  be  to  risk  collision  with  one  another, 
218 


AN  HONORABLE  SUBRENDER. 


219 


^ 


or  stranding  on  the  island  itself.  All  that  they  could  do 
now  was  to  keep  on  iL^  move,  tacking  to  and  fro,  and 
letting  fly  a  broadside  at  the  Rock  whenever  they  could 
fetch  in  to  windward  of  it. 

"  They  can't  bother  us  very  much  in  that  way,"  said 
Dick,  laughingly.  "  We  can  give  our  whole  attention  to 
the  beggars  below.  Have  you  made  out  how  many  there 
are,  Tom?" 

"  No,  sir ;  they're  hiding  so  close  in  the  holes  and 
bushes  that  there's  no  telling." 

"  Well,  look  here,  Tom,  could  we  not  creep  down  and 
get  a  shot  at  their  boats.  If  we  can  smash  them,  we'll 
cut  them  off  from  the  ships." 

"  That's  a  fine  notion,  sir.  If  Mr.  Watson  will  bring 
his  redcoats  along,  we  can  try  it." 

Creeping  sihntly  down  the  precipitous  sides  of  the 
island,  they  got  into  range  of  their  boats  without  meet- 
ing any  of  the  invaders.  There  was  a  number  of 
launches  lying  under  the  lee  of  the  cliffs,  each  having 
three  meu  on  board  keeping  it  off"  shore.  They  presented 
a  perfect  mark  for  the  muskets,  and  th«  marines  poured 
into  them  so  galling  a  fire  that  in  a  few  minutes  the 
crews  were  all  shot  dead ;  and  the  boats  thus  being  left 
to  themselves  went  drifting  off",  some  in  the  direction  of 
Martinique,  and  others  out  to  sea.  So  far  as  could  be 
made  out,  not  a  single  boat  was  left.  The  French  were 
completely  cut  off  until  reinforcements  should  arrive. 

Great  was  the  delight  of  the  garrison  at  this  succeasftil 
manoeuvre,  and  when  their  assailants,  stung  to  fury  by  it. 


•;  f  I 


M 


If,'. ' 

'  t 


m 


( 


bSt    1 


l|ij 


!  1 


220 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


came  boldly  out  from  their  hiding  places  and  sent  volleys 
up  the  heights,  the  English  enjoyed  a  lieurty  laugh  at 
their  futile  firing,  and  returned  the  compliment  in  the 
shape  of  a  cascade  of  rocks  that  soon  sent  the  others  into 


cover  again. 


In  desultory  warfare  of  this  kind  the  whole  day  passed ; 
the  fleet  being  so  constantly  on  the  move  that  no  addi- 
tional attempt  was  made  to  land  on  the  Rock ;  the  French, 
who  had  already  landed,  hunting  eagerly  about  for  means 
to  ascend  the  cliff's,  and  the  brave  little  garrison  keeping 
guard  over  every  ledge  and  crevice,  so  that  not  a  be- 
sieger could  find  a  foothold  in  safety. 

As  the  afternoon  wore  on,  their  unremitting  exertions, 
under  a  blazing  tropical  sun,  began  to  tell  on  the  gar- 
rison. The  men  grew  fretful  and  despondent.  Their 
vigor  showed  signs  of  slackening,  and  their  courage  of 
weakening.  Among  themselves  they  commenced  discuss- 
ing the  question  of  surrender.  They  could  see  no  use  in 
prolonging  the  defense.  It  would  only  enrage  the  French 
the  more,  and  make  it  harder  to  exact  lenient  terms  of 
capitulation.  This  came  at  once  to  Tom  Taffrail's  ears, 
but  not  a  hint  of  it  did  he  pass  on  to  Dick.  The  old 
sailor  was  a  splendid  specimen  of  the  British  bulldog. 
He  was  ready  at  any  time  to  die  fighting,  rather  than 
surrender  to  any  number  of  "  frog-eaters  " ;  and  this  waa 
what  he  had  pretty  well  made  up  his  mind  to  do  in  the 
present  case. 

"  Now,  avast  there,  shipmates,"  said  he,  in  reply  to 
the  murmurings  of  the  men.    "  Just  stow  that  gammon 


n».J^ 


I  i!  ft 


AN   HONOTIAHLE   SJRTIKNDER. 


221 


of  yours,  will  you  ?  We're  a  goin'  to  hold  on  here  until 
the  •  Gryphon '  comes  back  with  the  squadron  at  her 
heels,  and  then  we'll  have  a  fine  laugh  at  the  Frenchies." 

So  the  day  dragged  on  to  its  close,  Dick  keeping  up 
his  spirits  wonderfully,  in  which  he  was  supported,  let  it 
not  be  forgotten,  by  Tenderly,  who,  imitating  his  cheery 
courage  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  ably  seconded  hira  in 
directing  and  inspiring  the  men. 

But  toward  evening  a  discovery  was  made  that  sorely 
dashed  even  his  buoyancy.  Their  water  supply  was  well- 
nigh  exhausted  !  In  the  bustle  and  excitement  of  the 
struggle  no  care  had  been  taken  to  husband  it.  The  ex- 
treme heat,  combined  with  incessant  activity,  had,  of 
course,  made  everybody  very  thirsty,  and  the  tanks  were 
resorted  to  without  stint.  The  consequence  was,  that 
when  examined,  they  were  found  to  contain  a  quantity 
that  would  allow  only  one  pint  to  each  man  in  the  gar- 
rison. Nor  was  this  the  only  cause  of  concern.  Their 
stock  of  ammunition  was  running  low  also,  there  being 
but  enough  ball  cartridges  to  give  the  marines  a  dozen 
rounds  apiece,  while  of  powder  and  shot  for  the  big  guns 
there  remained  hardly  sufficient  wherewith  to  maintain 
a  day's  active  firing. 

When  this  became  generally  known,  the  men  no  longer 
felt  bound  to  keep  silence,  and  were  outspoken  in  their 
request  that  a  flag  of  truce  should  be  sent  to  the  enemy. 
But  Dick,  loyally  supported  by  Lieutenant  Watson, 
Tenderly,  and  Tom  Tafirail,  would  not  be  persuaded. 
His  determination  was  to  hold  out  for  one  day  longer,  at 


fli 


i 


li: 


•  it! 


llhr 


?:?!:]  n 


m 

m 


Will  :  ;*  ;lr 


P 


Hi 

1 

I^P^E 

r 

Ki  - 

': 

^V'; 

1'-; 

u^nij''  -fi '' 

WMt'  kl 

^" 

222 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


least.  The  "Gryphon,"  of  course,  could  not  possibly 
be  back  so  soon,  but  the  French  might  be  driven  to  raise 
the  siege  in  order  to  repair  damages;  and  while  they 
were  doing  this,  there  would  be  time  for  the  succoring 
squadron  to  reach  them. 

He  argued  with  the  men  very  patiently  and,  as  if  to 
strengthen  his  urgings,  in  the  very  midst  of  the  confer- 
ence the  heavens  darkened  with  a  thunder  storm,  and  a 
heavy  downpour  of  rain  followed,  which  seemed  like  a 
message  of  cheer  from  the  heavens. 

"  Quick,  now !  "  cried  Dick.    "  Catch  every  drop  you 


can. 

"With  their  minds  turned  into  a  new  channel,  the  men 
set  themselves  to  save  all  they  could  of  the  precious  fluid ; 
running  about  with  pans  and  pails,  dipping  it  up  from 
the  hollows  in  the  rocks,  and  thus  gathering  enough  to 
last  them,  with  ecomony,  for  several  days  more. 

This  brisk  diversion  quite  heartened  them  up  and, 
when  the  rain  was  over,  they  willingly  agreed  to  hold 
out  for  one  day  more,  at  all  events. 

Another  night  of  anxious  watching,  yet  undisturbed 
by  any  actual  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  besiegers  to 
ascend,  and  the  sun  rose  on  the  third  morning  of  this 
strange  struggle.  But  the  fates  were  not  so  kind  to  the 
beleaguered  garrison  as  to  this  day,  as  they  had  been  the 
day  previous.  On  the  contrary,  they  now  smiled  upon 
the  French,  giving  them  a  breathless  calm  that  perfectly 
suited  their  purposes,  while  it  could  not  help  delaying 
the  British  fleet  if  already  on  its  way  from  Barbadoes. 


AN   HONORABLE  SUBRENDEB. 


223 


and, 
hold 


Dick's  heart  nank  when  he  realized  this.  He  went  up 
to  the  peak  to  eagerly  sweep  the  horizon  with  the  glass 
iu  the  hope  of  catching  some  glimpse  of  approaching 
aid,  but  he  saw  no  cheering  glint  of  white  rising  on  the 
glassy  water.  He  saw  something  else,  however,  that 
filled  him  with  grave  apprehension. 

The  French  fleet  had  grown  to  nearly  double  its 
former  size.  Four  more  ships  of  the  line,  and  many 
smaller  vessels  had  been  added  to  it  during  the  night. 
And  there  it  lay  now  upon  the  gleaming  water  encir- 
Cilng  H.  M.  S.  "  Diamond  "  with  its  hundreds  of  gaping 
guns,  and  thousands  of  troops  thirsting  for  battle. 

An  ominous  quiet  prevailed  so  far  as  their  cannons  were 
concerned,  but  an  intense  activity  in  the  matter  of  boats. 
Every  launch  and  cutter  in  the  fleet  seemed  to  be  afloat 
and  buzzing  around  the  ships  like  some  huge  kind  of 
water-fly. 

"It's  easy  to  guess  what  they're  about  now,  Tom,'* 
said  Dick,  in  a  tone  that  for  the  first  time  had  a  note  of 
despondency  in  it.  "We'll  soon  have  them  upon  us  like 
a  swarm  of  mosquitoes." 

"  Let  them  come  on,"  replied  Tom,  sturdily.  "  We'll 
give  them  the  best  we've  got,  and  when  we  can't  fight 
them  any  longer  we'll  surrender." 

"  All  right,  Tom,"  said  Dick,  glad  to  find  that  the  big 
sailor,  upon  whose  influence  with  his  comrades  he  had 
greatly  to  depend,  was  still  full  of  fight.  "  That's  what 
we'll  do.  So  come  along,  let's  get  ready  to  receive  our 
visitors." 


^4 


I 


3" 


■S 


m 


it 


K 


^^li. 


224 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GRYPHON. 


He  had  hardly  spoken  when  a  gun  was  fired  from  the 
admiral's  ship,  and  in  response  to  this  signal  the  swarm 
of  launches  began  to  move  out  from  among  the  fleel^  and 
make  for  the  rock.  They  did  this  in  perfect  silence,  for, 
although  it  would  have  been  good  strategy  on  the  part  of 
the  ships  to  cover  their  approach  with  heavy  cannonade, 
this  could  not  be  done  without  imperilling  the  lives  of 
the  besiegers  who  had  already  found  a  foothold  upon 
the  island. 

As  soon  as  the  launches  came  within  range  the  garri- 
son of  Diamond  Rock  opened  fire  upon  them,  and  with 
such  good  aim  that  more  than  one  was  smashed  and  its 
occupants  tumbled  into  the  water,  thus  causing  other 
boats  to  delay  in  picking  them  up.  But  despite  these 
*i..3rruptions  the  enemy  kept  resolutely  on  until  they  got 
too  close  to  the  cliffs  to  be  reached  by  the  guns.  Then 
Dick  gave  orders  that  reserving  their  ammunition  his 
little  force  should  greet  their  foes  mth  showers  of  rocks, 
and  oppose  their  scaling  the  heights  to  the  very  last. 

"The  more  trouble  we  give  them,  the  better  terms 
we'll  be  able  to  make,"  said  he,  shrewdly,  and  everybody 
saw  the  soundness  of  his  reasoning. 

So  as  the  French  landed  they  were  met  with  successive 
avalanches  of  rocks  which  put  many  of  their  men  hors 
de  Gombat,  and  seriously  damaged  several  more  of  the 
launches.  Only  for  their  overwhelming  numbers  they 
might  not  have  gained  the  day  even  as  it  was.  But  they 
had  brought  with  them  scores  of  scaling  ladders,  and 
these  were  fixed  in  as  many  different  places  simulta- 


1 1  l»h' '•"<"♦•»»« '''I'-t.H'-Mi 


ill''! 

'Ilk 


AN   HONOR  VBLE   SURRENDER. 


226 


hora 
the 
they 
they 
and 
ilta- 


neouely,  so  that  the  little  garrison,  unahle  to  protect 
every  point  attacked,  was  at  last  driven  to  retreat  to 
Hood's  battery,  half-way  up  to  the  peak,  and  there  make 
a  final  stand.  In  the  final  passages  of  their  defense,  as 
during  the  whole  course  of  it,  the  little  band  was  aided 
immensely  by  its  position.  It  was,  as  we  have  indicated, 
a  natural  fortress.  Very  skillfully  Captain  McKinstry 
had  supplemented  its  natural  advantages  by  the  planting 
of  his  guns.  What  they  had  left,  with  a  lari^^er  garrison 
and  adequate  supplies,  would  have  been  i  .ii)regnable. 
As  it  was,  they  more  than  upheld  the  British  fame. 
The  courage  displayed  by  all  was  beyond  praise.  They 
knew  they  were  outnumbered  ten  to  one,  that  their 
ammunition  was  giving  out,  and  that  their  supplies  of 
water  and  provisions  would  soon  be  exhausted,  and  yet 
they  fought  on  undauntedly,  causing  their  assailants  to 
imagine  that  their  strength  must  be  far  greater  than  it 
really  was. 

Dick  was  indefatigable.  He  seemed  to  have  been  born 
for  a  leader.  His  courage  rose  as  the  emergency  became 
more  desperate.  All  thought  of  self  was  wliolly  absent 
from  the  boy,  and  the  duty  of  the  hour  wholly  absorbed 
him.  He  was  of  the  stuff  of  which  heroes  are  made. 
From  point  to  point  ha  made  his  way,  cheering  his  men, 
searching  for  the  enemy  with  his  keen  eyes,  and  letting 
loose  boulders  upon  their  heads  whenever  he  caught  a 
glimpse  of  them.  Watson  and  Tenderly  were  hardly 
less  active.  The  sailors  and  marinas  vied  with  one  an- 
other in  prompt  obedience  and  unflinching  bravery, 

P 


'^f.-JiU'.' 


I 


I 


226 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


J-;; 


Hour  after  hour  went  by  in  this  unequal  struggle. 
The  sun  passed  its  zenith,  and  still  the  garrison  held  out 
But  it  was  terribly  exhausting  work  in  that  pitiless  heat. 
There  was  little  or  no  shade  for  the  lieroic  handful,  and 
duricg  the  afternoon  several  of  them  fainted  at  their 
posts^  Tenderly  being  one  of  the  first  to  succumb. 

This  new  source  of  danger  brought  to  a  head  the 
resolution  that  had  already  been  forming  in  Dick's 
mind.  Taking  Mr.  "Watson  and  Tom  Taffrail  aside  he 
laid  it  before  them : 

"It's  just  this  way,"  said  he:  "Here  we  are,  pretty 
well  tuckered  out.  Not  a  man  of  us  is  fit  to  keep  watch 
to-night.  The  French  will  have  it  all  their  own  way. 
They'll  swarm  on  us  in  the  darkness,  and  likely  as  not  kill 
us  all  before  sunrise.  It  seems  to  me  our  best  plan  is  to 
make  what  terms  we  can  with  them  now  before  it's  too 
late." 

Without  any  argument  the  others  assented,  and  the 
scheme  was  forthwith  put  into  operation.  A  sheet  tied  to 
the  rammer  of  a  gun  made  an  excellent  fle-g  of  truce. 
Standing  upon  a  projecting  point,  where  he  would  be 
easily  seen  by  those  below,  Dick  waved  this  vigorously. 
It  was  observed  at  once.  The  firing  ceased  and  cheers  of 
joy  and  exultation  took  its  place.  Never  were  besiegers 
gladder  at  the  sign  of  victory.  They  had  suffered  very 
materially.  Many  of  their  boats  had  been  smashed,  and 
many  of  their  comrades  had  been  killed  and  wounded. 
The  heat  too,  had  been  fearfully  oppressive,  and  some  of 
them  had  almost  begun  to  have  misgivings  as  to  the 


[•1 


iilitt' <*<i>t4itlt' '><*•) -ti <■•«•••-•  •'•'4*<Ui>)^t  !)«'••  I 


AN  HONORABLE  SURRENDER. 


227 


■ili' 


result.  Cheer  after  cheer  then  hailed  this  token  of  posei- 
ble  submission.    Ii,s  language  all  could  understand. 

Lieutenant  Watson  was  fa  miliar  with  the  Frencli 
language,  and  to  him  was  committed  the  task  of  negoti- 
ating the  terms  of  capitulation.  He  hurriedly  drew  them 
out  upon  a  sheet  of  paper.  They  were  very  brief,  and 
in  substance  as  follows : 

That  the  rock  should  be  surrendered  with  all  itn 
stores  ;  that  the  garrison  should  be  allowed  to  march  to 
the  King's  battery  with  drums  beating  and  colors  Hying, 
and  there  lay  down  their  arms  ;  that  all  private  property 
should  be  secured  to  officers  and  men ;  that  they  should 
be  sent  to  the  Barbadoes  at  the  expense  of  the  French ; 
and  finally,  as  a  sort  of  a  clincher,  that  the  garrison  be- 
ing capable  of  holding  out  for  a  few  days  longer,  if  the 
terms  were  not  assented  to  within  two  hours  hostilities 
would  be  renewed. 

For  sublime  "  cheek,"  no  other  word  can  fitly  express 
it,  it  would  not  be  easy  to  parallel  these  conditions  of 
capitulation  in  martial  history.  The  dauntless  spirit  of 
Dick,  and  the  dogged  determination  of  Tom  Tafirail 
spoke  through  every  line  of  them.  Lieutenant  Watson 
thought  them  over-bold,  but  yielded  to  the  others,  and 
bearing  a  small  flag  of  truce  descended  the  cliff*  to  hold 
parley  with  the  enemy.  He  was  received  with  the  utmost 
respect,  and  carried  off"  to  the  French  admiral. 

The  admiral  could  not  suppress  a  smile  as  he  read  the 
list  of  conditions ;  it  was  so  magnificently  audacious  in 
tone.  He  tried  hard  to  worm  out  of  Mr.  Watson  some  hint 


11 


li 


I   .  ■ 


1  ) 


228 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


f.  -'• 


as  to  the  strength  of  the  garrison,  but  he  might  as  well  have 
endeavored  to  extract  confi(U;ncc8  from  a  clam.  Ho  then 
held  a  consultation  with  his  chief  officers,  and  their 
unaniiiious  advice  was  to  agree  to  the  proposals.  They 
reasoned  soundly  enough  that  not  knowing  the  strength 
or  resources  of  the  garrison,  nor  at  what  moment  u 
British  fleet  might  make  its  appearance,  and  considering 
how  many  men  and  boats  had  been  lost  already,  and  how 
much  ammunition  expended,  it  was  better  to  run  no 
further  risks  If  the  terms  were  accepted  Diamond 
Kock  would  be  theirs  before  sunset,  and  all  their  trouble 
would  be  rewarded. 

So  the  upshot  of  the  matter  was  that  the  admiral  as- 
sented to  the  conditions  of  capitulation  without  any  mod- 
ification, and  with  a  glad  heart  Lieutenant  Watson  bore 
the  good  news  back  to  his  expectant  comrades.  Great 
was  the  satisfaction  of  the  little  garrison  at  his  report. 
Dick  gave  voice  to  the  feelings  of  all  when  he  cried, 
joyously : 

"  Hurrah,  shipmates  I  We've  had  to  give  in.  But 
it's  tin  honorable  surrender — nothing  to  be  ashamed  of,  I 
vow.  And  if  the  'Gryphon'  had  only  got  back  in  time 
— but,  never  mind.  It's  no  use  crying  over  spilt  milk. 
Let's  all  put  on  our  best  duds  now,  and  get  ready  to 
march  to  the  King's  battery  as  if  we  were  going  to  in- 
spection." 

Half  an  hour  sufficed  to  make  the  necessary  prepara- 
tion, and  tlien,  not  without  some  sharp  qualms  of  regret 
mingling  with  their  feelings  of  relief,  the  little  band  of 


■muu^ 


iinii  >•> 


■>U>»-t<'.i^.l«SI-t  )U 


AN    lIONOUAltLi:  KUUUENDER. 


229 


heroes,  arrayed  in  their  best  unifurms  and  carrying  tlieir 
arms,  descended  the  cHIIh,  funned  into  lino  on  the  level 
below,  and  witli  drums  beatin*^  fe'>iyly  oud  colors  'lying, 
marched  in  good  order  to  the  King's  battery. 

When  the  French  saw  the  number  of  their  opponents, 
and  realiKcd  that  for  tiiree  days  an<l  two  niglits  tiiiu  hand- 
ful of  men  had  defied  the  utmost  efforts  of  a  powerful 
fleet  8upp«»rted  by  thousands  of  soldiers,  they  were  at  first 
silent  with  astonished  admiration.  Then  the  gallantry 
that  distinguished  their  nation  broke  forth.  What  mat- 
tered it  that  these  bronzed,  haggard,  weary  men,  who 
seemed  to  be  under  the  connnand  of  a  bit  of  a  boy,  were 
their  hereditary  enemies,  and  had  just  cost  them  many 
lives,  and  done  thjm  heavy  damage  ?  They  were  true 
warriors  notwithstanding.  And  so,  snatching  off  their 
caps,  oflicers  and  soldiers  with  one  accord  sent  up  a 
cheor  that  awoke  the  echoes  of  the  fartliest  crag.  It  wtis 
the  spontaneous  tribute  of  brave  hearts  to  brave  deeds, 
and  many  an  eye  in  the  garrison  dimmed  with  tears. 

"  Blame  my  old  eyes !  "  muttered  Tom  Taffrail,  "  but 
these  frog-eaters  are  not  such  a  bad  lot,  after  all." 

Dick,  with  Lieutenant  Watson  and  Tenderly,  received 
a  cordial  welcome  on  board  the  "  Pluton,"  where  they 
found  several  officers  who  were  proficient  in  the  English 
language,  and  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening  detailing 
the  events  of  the  siege  from  their  side  of  the  struggle. 
From  a  comparison  of  casualties,  it  appeared  tliat  while 
the  beleaguered  garrison's  list  comprised  only  two  men 
killed   and  half  a  dozen   wounded,  the  besiegers  had 


230 


THE   GOOD   SHIP   GKYPHOX. 


yt 


I  '  1 


LT,  If         '     ' 


I'll 


,i  ; 


r4P?i 


over  a  hundred  men  killed,  nearly  twice  as  many 
(bounded,  and  had  also  lost  three  gunboats  and  two 
launches. 

Mr.  Midshipman  Dick  was  an  object  of  deep  interest 
to  the  French  officers.  They  were  greatly  tickled  at  the 
idea  of  a  mere  boy  defying  their  whole  force,  as  he  had 
donOi  and  went  so  far  as  to  express  the  opinion  that  if  all 
the  officers  in  the  British  navy  were  made  of  similar  stuff 
it  was  not  much  use  for  Bonaparte  to  contest  the  su- 
premacy of  the  seas  with  King  George. 

The  following  morning  the  "  Pluton,"  flying  a  flag  of 
truce  at  her  masthead,  bore  the  garrison  off"  to  Barbadoes. 
A  couple  of  day's  good  sailing  brought  her  to  Carlisle 
Bay  ;  and  as  she  rounded  to,  at  the  anchorage,  there  lay 
the  "  Gryphon  "  in  full  view,  fast  at  the  moorings  ;  the 
fact  of  the  matter  being  that  Captain  Fitewell  found  no 
ships  available  for  the  relief  of  Diamond  Rock,  and  was 
compelled  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  which  was  duly 
expected.  He  had  chafed  at  the  delay,  and  Captain 
McKinstry  was  almost  wild  with  anxiety  and  the  sense 
of  his  helplessness.  But  they  had  to  put  up  with  it  as 
best  they  might  and  wait  developments.  It  was  more 
than  a  relief  to  them  when  the  French  ship  came  into 
port  vnth  the  heroic  little  baud. 

Right  royal  was  the  reception  given  to  Dick  and  Lieu- 
tenant Watson,  and  Tenderly  and  Tom  Taffrail,  and  all 
the  rest  of  the  brave  little  company.  In  the  general  joy  at 
their  safe  deliverance,  and  the  gallant  defense  they  had 
made,  regret  at  the  loss  of  Diamond  Rock  was  for  the 


i} 


s 


Mii^-\. 


4ll»|«  •»"i»«»«l««»t»»,l»»,i.MI,»,w.,»H,H.,„».,4,;,.,.,.  ,,,(,, 


AN   HONORABLE  SURRENDER. 


231 


:i 


time  awallowcd  up.  Even  Captain  McKinstry  forgot  his 
keen  chagrin  at  being  so  strangely  deprived  of  the  plea- 
sure of  remaining  in  command  until  the  close  of  the  bril- 
liant struggle. 

A  few  days  later  the  expected  fleet  arrived,  and  who 
should  be  the  admiral  in  command  but  the  renowned  Lord 
Nelson  himself,  who  had  dashed  across  the  Atlantic  to 
balk  Napoleon's  scheme  for  the  regaining  of  the  West 
Indies. 

Among  the  reports  of  recent  events  that  were  presented 
to  him,  the  defense  of  Diamond  Rock  was  not  forgotten. 
The  hero's  cheek  flushed  as  he  heard  of  the  noble  strug- 
gle, and  sought  an  early  opportunity  of  having  the 
young  midshipman  introduced  to  him. 

Imagine  Master  Dick's  feelings  on  being  presented  to 
the  greatest  of  England's  naval  heroes!  How  deeply 
that  day  burned  into  his  memory !  Laying  the  one  small 
delicate  hand  that  was  left  him  upon  the  boy's  shoulder, 
and  looking  into  his  blushing  face  with  inexpressible  ten- 
derness and  pride,  he  said  to  him : 

"  God  be  thanked  for  boys  of  your  metal !  Never  will 
our  dear  Mother  England  cease  to  be  mistress  of  the  seas 
while  she  bears  such  sons.  You  take  rank  as  sub-lieu- 
tenant from  to-day." 

Dick  could  hardly  credit  his  ears.  Sub-lieutenant  I 
And  he  little  more  than  two  years  on  ship-board  I  But 
Lord  Nelson  had  said  it,  and  his  word  was  law.  With 
what  trembling  eagerness  he  wrote  the  good  news  home  to 
his  mother,  saying  joyfully  to  himself  that  she  would  no 


1 


232 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


■is  '. 


it  ■ 

VI!  . 


longer  regret  his  going  into  the  navy,  when  promotion 
had  come  so  rapidly.  It  seemed  almost  too  good  to  be 
true.  And  yet  there  was  the  manly  consciousness  that 
it  was  not  wholly  undeserved.  Ho  had  loved  liis  pro- 
fession. He  lind  simply  tried  to  do  his  duty  wlierever  he 
was  put.  He  had  kept  his  promise  to  his  mother,  and 
had  avoided  bad  luibits.  He  had  an  honest,  manly  sense 
of  somewhat  meriting  his  promotion. 

In  the  kind  providence  of  God  it  came  about  that  Dick 
himself  followed  not  long  behind  the  letter  which  did  in- 
deed bring  great  gladness  to  the  cottage  in  Kent,  where 
Mrs.  Holland  had  already  allowed  her  dread  of  the  sea 
to  be  submerged  by  a  keen  interest  in  her  son's  progress ; 
for  Lord  Nelson,  soon  finding  out  that  Napoleon's  threat 
of  a  concerted  attack  upon  the  British  Wcv^t  Indies  had 
been  only  a  ruse  to  draw  him  away  from  the  European 
waters,  where  he  was  much  more  needed,  hurried  back 
thither,  taking  the  "  Gryphon  "  in  his  fleet. 


h-  '! 


'  iilttl  i!''i'»»ll«'i'l»)lrtii 


UiUHlfiAUfBSi 


aam 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


TRAFALGAR   AND   HOME  AGAIN. 

JOYFUL  beyond  description  wiis  that  ineetini^  between 
motlicr  and  son.  Again  and  again  did  Mrs.  Hol- 
land clasp  Dick  to  her  heart  and  cover  his  well-tanncfd 
cheeks  with  fervent  kisses.  Then  holding  him  forth  at 
arms  length  she  scanned  him  from  head  to  heel,  ex- 
claiming : 

"  My  darling  boy  I  what  a  man  youVe  grown  to  be ; 
and  oh  1  how  you  are  like  your  father  I " 

The  two  years'  separation  had  wrought  little  change  in 
Mrs.  Holland,  The  smooth  dark  hair  had  perhaps  some 
additional  threads  of  silver,  and  there  may  have  been  some 
deeper  lines  in  the  comely  countenance,  but  that  was  all. 

Dick  on  the  other  hand  presented  a  very  different  ap* 
pearance  from  what  he  did  on  the  day  he  first  trod  the 
deck  of  the  "Gryphon."  He  was  full  four  inches  taller, 
quite  twenty  pounds  heavier,  several  tones  darker  of 
skin,  and  ever  so  many  degrees  more  dignified  of  bearing. 
In  fact,  he  had  completely  outgrown  all  justification  for 
the  sobriquet  of  "  dickey-bird,"  and  no  longer  ran  any 
risk  of  being  nicknamed  "the  bantam." 

The  mother's  fond  eyes  missed  none  of  these  signs  of 
development,  and  she  found  in  them  no  slight  recom- 
pense for  the  long  days  of  waiting.    She  saw  too,  what 

288 


234 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


K  .1), 


hiiffiiiii'' 


^■iiii' . 


more  than  anything  else  her  mother-eyes  looked  for,  that 
her  boy  had  not  suffered  in  his  higher  life  by  his  absence. 
She  knew  by  the  clearness  of  his  eye,  by  the  frankness 
and  openness  of  his  look,  that  he  had  kept  his  promise  to 
her.  She  needed  no  assurance  from  him  that  he  was  just 
as  pure  and  just  as  true  as  when  he  left  her  side. 

"  Ah !  Dick,"  said  she,  with  a  sigh  of  resignation,  "  I'm 
afraid  I  must  confess  that  you've  proved  you  made  no 
mistake  in  choosing  the  sea.  You  were  born  for  it  as 
your  father  was  before  you.  But  God  grant  you  a  longer 
life  than  fell  to  his  lot." 

The  days  of  that  visit  home  sped  by  swiftly  while  Dick 
talked  and  walked  with  his  motlier,  and  was  proudly  ex- 
hibited for  the  admiration  of  the  friends  and  neighbors. 
His  mother  was  loth  to  spare  him  from  her  sight  for  an 
hour,  and  Dick,  knowing  that  the  call  to  duty  might 
come  at  any  moment,  devoted  his  whole  time  to  her, 
being  determined  to  give  her  all  the  pleasure  that  was  in 
his  power.  His  experience  and  his  adventures  and  suc- 
cess had  not  caused  him  to  feel  above  this.  His  mother 
seemed  dearer  to  him  than  ever,  and  devotion  to  her 
seemed  the  most  natural  thing  in  the  world.  He  world 
never  outgrow  that,  as  so  many  boys  do. 

It  was  late  in  September  when  the  order  came  to  re- 
port for  active  service,  and  poor  Mrs.  Holland  had  once 
more  to  endure  the  pang  of  parting.  This  time  she  had 
good  cause  for  solicitude.  The  crisis  of  the  struggle  for 
supremacy  between  the  British  fleets  and  the  combined 
naval  forces  of  France  and  Spain  could  not  be   long 


i\'n 


iinn  i!T'i«mJi:r'n,iitij>MfiHt:»*iH!t!:u(if;»;au,jiiiiU: 


TRAFALGAR  AND   HOME   AGAIN. 


236 


delayed.  The  world  was  awaiting  it  with  anxious  ex- 
pectation. If  England  failed  of  victory,  the  proud  titlt 
of  mistress  of  the  seas  would  be  no  longer  hers.  But 
England  had  a  Nelson  to  command  her  navy,  and  in  him 
the  king  and  people  put  their  trust. 

When  Dick  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  he  was  delighted 
to  learn  that,  instead  of  rejoining  the  "  Gryphon,"  he 
would  go  to  the  "  Victory,"  Lord  Nelson's  own  ship,  a 
magnificent  vessel  carrying  one  hundred  guns.  This  signal 
honor  he  owed  to  his  services  at  Diamond  Rock,  the 
great  admiral  having  particularly  selected  him  to  fill  a 
vacancy  in  the  number  of  sub-lieutenants. 

Now,  the  poi,t  *  s'\b-lieutenant  on  a  flagship  was  in 
every  way  more  c  ,^  ra'jle  than  the  same  rank  on  a  frig- 
ate, and  sorry  as  Dick  was  to  part  cimpany  with  the 
"  Gryphon,"  and  with  Captain  Fitewell,  and  with  First 
Lieutenant  McKinstry,  and  dear  old  Taffrail,  not  to  men- 
tion Tenderly,  who  looked  as  though  he  could  hardly 
keep  back  a  burst  of  tears  when  Dick  bade  him  "  good- 
bye," still  there  was  more  than  sufficient  compensation  in 
the  many  advantages  accruing  to  his  new  appointment. 

"  You're  a  lucky  chap,  Dick,"  were  Lieutenant  Mc- 
Kinstry's  farewell  words.  "  But  I  don't  grudge  you  your 
good  fortune.  You've  deserved  every  bit  of  it,  richly. 
Keep  right  on  as  you're  doing,  and  you'll  get  to  the  top 
in  good  time." 

"  Indeed  I  will,  sir,  if  I  can,"  was  Dick's  reply.  "  I 
shall  miss  the  old  *  Gryphon.*  I  am  thankful  to  you,  lir, 
for  your  kindness.    I'll  do  the  best  I  can,  sir." 


^i'iiUu^. 


236 


THE  GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


,i   '. 


On  boftrd  the  big  "  Victory,"  there  seemed  to  be  al- 
most as  many  officers  as  there  had  been  seamen  on  the 
"  Gryphon " ;  and  Dick  felt  himself  to  be  of  little  ac- 
count in  such  a  throng.  But  the  fame  of  his  defense  of 
Diamond  Kock  went  with  him ;  and,  although  he  was 
much  the  youngest  sub-lieutenant  on  board,  he  found  his 
fellow-officers  ready  to  admit  him  without  question  to  an 
equal  footing,  and  to  treat  him  with  due  consideration 
from  the  start. 

All  minds  were  engrossed  with  the  great  struggle  so 
near  at  hand,  and  impatient  for  it  to  begin.  Great, 
therefore,  was  the  satisfaction  of  all  when,  on  the  15th 
of  September,  the  "  Victory  "  sailed  from  Portsmouth^ 
bearing  Lord  Nelson  to  take  the  chief  command  of  the 
Mediterranean  fleet,  then  under  the  direction  of  Vice- 
Admiral  Lord  Collingwood. 

Being  joined  by  the  "  Euryalus,"  "  Ajax,"  and  "  Thun- 
derer," the  flagship  proceeded  to  meet  the  fleet  then  cruis- 
ing ofl*  Cadiz,  in  which  harbor  the  combined  navies  of 
Spain  and  France  had  rendezvoused.  A  lot  of  manoeu- 
vering  for  an  advantage,  and  other  delays  ensued,  so  that 
it  was  the  21st  of  October  before  the  two  great  fleets  fairly 
faced  one  anotLor  in  line  of  battle  off*  Cape  Trafalgar. 

Lord  Nelson's  command  consisted  of  some  thirty-three 
vessels,  ranging  in  size  from  the  mighty  "  Victory  "  and 
"  Royal  Sovereign,"  of  one  hundred  guns  each,  down  to 
the  saucy  schooner,  "Pickle,"  carrying  but  a  single 
swivel  gun.  Of  the  whole  number,  twenty-seven  were 
ships  of  the  line.    The  Franco-Spanish  fleet  comprised 


I 


>\0w. 


uim  ib't't!Ui:iliti!iuloifiMi;tStt.H!Tlj?-U».M4itiiiJill«:it 


TRAPALQAR   AND    HOME   AGAIN. 


237 


foJty  vessels;  the  largest  being  the  " Santissima-Trini- 
dad,"  of  OOP  hundred  and  thirty  guns,  and  the  command 
being  in  the  hands  of  Vice- Admiral  Villeneuve,  a  brave 
and  skillful  seaman. 

Dick's  heart  thrilled  with  elation  as  on  that  eventful 
morning,  which  was  to  decide  his  country's  fate,  the  hos- 
tile fleets  bore  down  upon  each  other  like  two  flocks  of 
gigantic  sea-birds.  The  breeze,  which  came  from  the 
southwest,  was  very  light,  and  studding  sails  were  set  on 
every  ship.  Lord  Nelson  had  disposed  his  vessels  in 
three  columns,  he  himself  taking  the  van  of  the  centre 
column. 

Considering  that  the  "Victory,"  both  as  being  the 
front  of  a  column  and  as  bearing  the  flag  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, would  draw  upon  herself  the  whole 
weight  of  the  enemy's  fire,  and  thereby  .oubly  endanger 
the  life  of  him  to  whom  all  looked  up  for  the  success  of 
the  day,  the  principal  officers  took  counsel  together  and 
decided  to  try  to  persuade  the  admiral  to  allow  the 
"Temeraire,"  then  close  astern,  to  take  the  lead,  and 
thus  bear  the  brunt  of  the  fire. 

When  the  matter  was  broached  to  Lord  Nelson,  he  re- 
plied, with  a  significant  smile :  "  Oh,  yes,  let  her  go 
ahead ; "  meaning,  *•  if  she  could." 

"  The  "  Temeraire "  was  accordingly  hailed  to  take 
her  station  ahead  of  the  "Victory";  but  when  she 
ranged  up  on  the  "  Victory's  "  quarter,  in  order  to  pass 
her  and  lead.  Lord  Nelson  hailed  her  and,  speaking  as 
he  always  did,  with  a  slight  nasal  intonation,  said  : 


'i!jf<Ui.i 


K 


In 
ii 


238 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


I 


If;: 


f 


i 


nt 


iiW 


feJbi' 


ri! 


fe^ivt     i 


il' 


"1*11  thank  you,  Captain  Harvey,  to  keep  in  your 
proper  station,  which  is  astern  of  the  *  Victory.'  *' 

It  hap^^  ned  that  just  as  he  spoke,  Lieutenant  Yule, 
who  commanded  on  the  forecastle,  observing  that  the 
starboard  lower  studding-sail  was  improperly  set,  ordered 
it  to  be  taken  in  for  the  purpose  of  setting  it  afresh. 
Lord  Nelson  noticed  this  instantly  and,  running  forward, 
gave  the  lieutenant  a  severe  rating  for  having,  as  he  sup- 
posed, begun  to  shorten  sail  without  the  captain's  orders. 
So  tie  studding-sail  was  promptly  '•eplaced,  and  the 
"  Victory,"  as  the  gallant  chief  intended,  continued  to 
lead  the  column. 

Dick  was  a  spectator  of  all  this,  and  his  heart  thrilled 
with  admiration  at  the  superb  courage  of  this  slight, 
delicate-looking  man  who,  although  an  eye  and  an  arm 
had  already  been  sacrificed  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
took  no  thought  for  himself,  however  gi-eat  the  peril,  but 
shared  to  the  full  in  danger  with  the  humblest  sailor  in 
his  command. 

"  What  a  splendid  man  he  is  I "  he  exclaimed,  enthuai- 
astically,  to  another  officer  standing  by.  "  He'c  going 
to  take  just  the  same  chances  as  any  of  us.  Who 
wouldn't  do  his  very  best  for  such  an  admiral  ?  " 

"  You  may  well  say  so,"  responded  the  other.  "  He'o 
the  greatest  admiral  that  England  ever  had.  But  look, 
what's  the  signal  that's  being  given  ?  " 

They  both  watched  with  eager  interest  the  flags,  as 
they  one  by  one  were  raised  to  the  mizzentop-gallant- 
mast-head  of  the  "  Victory." 


Mi^t^t' 


WlUiit>it!i!ilt:r|iliitiiith!tMt:t:^iit!ti:Mi«Xaiiili)iIti:)ti- 


TRAPALCAU    AND   HOME   AGAIN. 


239 


Hc'o 

look, 


The  numbers  were  as  follows : 

263  269  863  261  471  958  220  370 
4  21  19  24. 
And  as  their  signification  broke  upon  the  fleet,  there 
came,  not  only  from  the  crowded  decks  of  the  flagship,  but 
from  all  the  other  ships,  round  after  round  of  true  British 
cheers,  that  showed  with  what  lively  enthusiasm  the 
magic  message  was  received. 

It  had  come  about  in  this  way.  As  the  two  fleets 
drew  near  each  .other  slowly,  the  thought  flashed  into 
Lord  Nelson's  mind  to  give  his  own  men  something  by 
way  of  a  fillip.    After  musing  awhile,  he  said : 

"Suppose  we  telegraph  that  *  Nelson  expects  every 
man  to  do  his  duty.' " 

The  officer  he  addressed,  ventured  to  suggest  that  it 
inighi  be  better  to  have  it,  "England  expects  every 
man,"  etc. 

"  Certainly,  certainly,"  exclaimed  the  admiral,  warmly 
adopting  the  emendation,  and  so,  just  a  little  before  noon, 
there  fluttered  out  on  the  breeze  the  first  flag  of  the 
famous  message  that  was  thereupon  to  become  one  of  the 
most  renowned  in  the  world's  history. 

At  the  maintop-gallantmast-head  of  the  "  Victory," 
there  floated  two  flags  that  formed  Lord  Nelson's  cus- 
tomary signal  in  going  into  action.  They  meant :  "  En- 
gage the  enemy  more  closely,"  a  command  those  to  whom 
it  was  addressed  were  only  too  eager  to  obey. 

Much  to  Dick's  disappointment,  the  "Victory"  waa 
not  the  first  ship  in  action.    Owing  to  the  formation  of 


240 


THE   GOOD  SHIP   GRYPHON. 


the  line  of  attack,  and  the  changing  position  of  the 
Franco-Spanish  fleet,  the  "  Royal  Sovereign,"  which  led 
the  right  column,  first  got  within  range  of  the  enemy, 
and  having  reached  a  position  close  astern  of  the  "  Santa 
Anna,"  a  huge  one  hundred  and  twelve,  and  bearing  the 
flag  of  Vice- Admiral  Don  Mara  del  Alava,  fired  into  her 
with  guns  double  shotted  and  with  such  precision  as  to 
kill  and  wound  nearly  four  hundred  of  her  crew. 

Dick  was  fairly  dancing  with  impatience,  as  the 
"  Victory  "  moved  steadily  and  silently  on. 

"  Why  don't  we  fire  at  them  ? "  he  exclaimed  to  the 
officer  nearest  him.  "We're  near  enough  to  hit  them 
every  time." 

"  No  doubt  we  are/'  the  other  replied.  "  But  the  ad- 
miral is  never  in  a  hurry  to  open  fire.  He  always  waits 
until  he  has  got  into  just  the  position  he  thinks  best. 
He's  looking  for  the  French  admiral  now,  and  will  keep 
the  guns  cool  until  he  finds  him." 

This  was  precisely  what  Lord  Nelson  was  doing.  In 
the  centre  of  the  enemy's  line  lay  the  "  Bucentaure," 
having  on  board  ^.dmiral  Villeneuve,  and  to  her  he  was 
determined  to  give  his  entire  attention.  Accordingly, 
he  continued  straight  on,  and  although  as  soon  as  the 
"  Victory  "  got  within  range  the  whole  van  of  the  French 
division  opened  fire  upon  her  simultaneously  and  with 
destructive  effect,  no  answer  came  from  the  British  flag- 
ship, but  she  forged  steadily  and  majestically  on,  as  silent 
as  a  spectre. 

Seeing,  by  the  direction  of  her  course,  that  the  "  Vio- 


HIUI  lifTiitili' 


•iti.i:i'ii. 


TRAFALGAR  AND  HOME  AGAIN. 


241 


1  of  the 

hich  led 
}  enemy, 
3  "Santa 
iriog  the 
into  her 
on  as  to 

• 

as    the 

d  to  the 
bit  them 

the  ad- 
lys  waits 
Lks  best, 
rill  keep 

ing.  In 
intaure," 
r  he  was 
•rdingly, 
a  as  the 
I  French 
ind  with 
ish  flag- 
as  silent 

le"  Vic- 


tory "  was  about  to  follow  the  example  of  the  "  Royal 
Sovereign,"  the  French  and  Spanish  ships  ahead  of  the 
British  weather  column  closed  like  a  forest,  and  toward 
this  combination  Lord  Nelson  proceeded. 

Just  as  the  "Victory"  got  within  about  five  hundred 
yards  of  the  larboard  beam  of  the  "Bucentaure"  her 
mizzentop-mast  was  shot  away,  about  two-thirds  up. 
Another  shot  knocked  to  pieces  the  wheel,  a  third  killed 
eight  mariners  on  the  poop,  and  a  fourth,  that  had  come 
through  a  thickness  of  four  hammocks  near  the  port 
chesstree,  and  had  carried  away  a  part  of  the  port-quarter 
of  the  launch  as  she  lay  on  the  booms,  struck  the  fore- 
brace  bits  of  the  quarter-deck,  and  passed  between  Lord 
Nelson  and  Captain  Hardy,  a  splinter  from  the  bits 
bruising  the  left  foot  of  the  later,  and  tearing  the  buckle 
from  his  shoe. 

Both  men  stopped  instantly  and  looked  at  each  other 
inquiringly,  each  supposing  the  other  to  have  been 
wounded.    Then  his  lordship  smiled : 

"  This  is  too  warm  work  to  last  long.  In  all  the  battles 
in  which  I  have  fought,  I  never  witnessed  such  splendid 
courage  and  coolness  as  my  men  are  showing  to-day.  I 
am  confident  of  winning  the  victory  of  my  life." 

No  wonder  his  men  were  brave  and  cool,  when  they 

had  so  inspiring  an  example  in  their  own  commander, 

who  so  lightly  valued  personal  risk  that  he  would  not 

suffer  those    barriers  against   the  enemy's    grape  and 

musketry,  the  hammocks,  to  be  arranged  one  inch  higher 

than  they  were  accustomed  to  be  stowed. 

Q 


242 


THE   GOOD  SHIP  GllYPHON. 


t.,  h 


So  heavy  and  unremitting  had  been  the  fire  concen- 
trated upon  the  "  Victory,"  that  she  soon  began  to  show 
serious  effects  from  it.  Every  studding-sail  boom  had 
been  shot  off  close  to  the  yardarm,  and  every  sail,  espe- 
cially on  the  foremast,  riddled  like  a  sieve,  while  on  her 
decks,  some  score  of  officers  and  men  had  been  killed, 
and  nearly  twice  as  many  wounded. 

Although  exposed  to  the  same  risks  as  the  others  in 
the  performance  of  his  duty  beside  the  guns  on  the 
quarterdeck,  Dick  had  hitherto  escaped  injury,  and  was 
eagerly  awaiting  the  moment  when  the  "Victory," 
having  come  to  close  quarters  with  one  of  her  huge 
antagonists,  the  command  to  board  should  be  given. 

Not  in  any  fierce  lust  for  the  blood  of  others,  but  in  a 
noble  spirit  of  determination  to  shed  the  last  drop  of  his 
own  in  fighting  the  enemies  of  his  country,  Dick  threw 
himself  into  the  struggle  with  all  the  fervor  of  his  ardent 
nature.  He  took  no  thought  for  his  own  safety,  but 
again  and  again  exposed  himself  to  the  full  fire  of  the 
Spanish  musketeers,  while  endeavoring  to  get  a  better 
view  of  th«  battle  than  could  be  obtained  from  his  posi- 
tion on  the  deck. 

As  the  "  Victory  "  slowly  moved  ahead,  her  opportu- 
nity came  to  make  some  return  for  the  merciless  can- 
nonading she  had  endured.  Ranging  close  to  the 
"  Bucentaure,"  the  sixty-eight  pounder  carronade  on  the 
port  side  of  the  forecastle,  containing  its  usual  charge  of 
one  round  shot,  and  a  keg  filled  with  five  hundred  musket 
balls,  was  fired  right  into  the  cabin  windows  of  the 


mi4».itt;irtit|i:riiiiirwiitiii>n:t*ii»hist'ii»;»,ai:iit»m»:u>!.'»f 


TRAFALGAR  AND  HOME  AGAIN. 


243 


concen- 
L  to  show 
3om  had 
ail,  espe- 
e  on  her 
Q  killed, 

others  in 
3  on  the 

and  was 
iTictory," 
ler  huge 
ren. 

but  in  a 
[)p  of  his 
jk  threw 
is  ardent 
fety,  but 
re  of  the 

a  better 
his  posi- 

opportu- 
less  can- 
to the 
e  on  the 
harge  of 
1  musket 
of  the 


French  flagship,  and  then  slowly  moving  ahead,  every 
gun  of  the  remaining  fifty  on  her  broadside  all  double, 
and  some  of  them  treble-shotted,  was  deliberately  dis- 
charged in  the  same  raking  manner. 

So  close  were  the  ships  that  the  port  mainyard-arm  of 
the  British  three  decker  as  she  rolled  touched  the  vangs 
of  her  opponent's  gaff;  so  close  indeed  were  they,  that 
had  there  been  wind  enough  to  blow  it  out,  the  large 
French  ensign  trailing  at  the  "  Bucentaure's  "  peak  might 
have  been  a  tropl  v  in  the  hands  of  the  "  Victory's " 
crew. 

A  ringing  cheer,  in  which  Dick  heartily  joined,  rose 
from  the  decks  of  the  "Victory,"  as  the  tremendous 
destruction  wrought  by  this  broadside  became  manifest, 
for,  although  it  was  the  work  of  scarcely  two  minutes, 
and  although  not  a  mast  or  yard  of  the  "  Bucentaure  " 
was  seen  to  come  down,  there  had  been  nearly  four  hun- 
dred men  killed  and  wounded  on  board  of  her,  over  a 
score  of  guns  had  been  dismounted,  and  the  fine  flagship 
was  reduced  to  a  comparatively  defenseless  state. 

Shaking  herself  free  from  the  "Bucentaure,"  the 
"  Victory  "  now  pushed  on  in  quest  of  fresh  antagonists. 
Right  in  her  path  stood  the  "  Redoubtable,''  a  stalwart 
seventy-four,  and,  keeping  straight  on,  the  two  ships 
presently  were  side  by  side,  the  sheet  anchor  of  the  one 
striking  the  spare  anchor  of  the  other,  and  the  "  Vic- 
tory's" starboard  foretop-mast  studding-sail-boorn  iron 
getting  hooked  into  the  leech  of  the  "  Redoubtable's '* 
^oretopsaiL 


'OThH'iih 


'  J 


244 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYrHON. 


1' 


f 


1     '■  n      »!■ 


8:  K 


m 


:-Ti 


;:i 


'fry- 
I    5 


ill '^'    ■ 


!iUi  .   I. 


A  IreDieudous  haud-to-liand  cuuflict  immediately  eiiBued 
between  the  crews  of  the  two  vessels,  each  trying  to  clear 
the  other's  decks,  and  board  with  intent  to  capture.  Dick 
plunged  into  the  thick  of  the  fight,  thrusting  and  slash- 
ing with  his  keen  cutlass  and  bearing  himself  like  a  man 
of  mature  years. 

It  was  terrible  work.  The  air  was  foul  and  heavy 
with  the  reek  of  gunpowder  and  dense  with  particles  of 
crumbled  wood.  The  decks  were  strewn  with  the  dead 
and  wounded,  and  slippery  with  their  blood.  The  roar 
of  cannon  and  the  splintering  crash  of  shattered  bulwarks 
stunned  the  ear,  while  the  shrieks  of  the  suffering  and 
the  shouts  of  the  frenzied  combatants  united  in  an  awful 
chorus  more  suggestive  of  hell  than  of  earth. 

Yet  there  was  perfect  discipline  on  board  the  British 
flagship.  Each  man  fought  in  his  own  place,  and  accord- 
ing to  the  orders  of  his  own  oflicer,  while  through  all  the 
hideous  turmoil  the  wonderful  little  admiral,  dressed  in  the 
same  thread-bare  frock  uniform  coat,  which  was  his  con- 
stant wear,  having  for  its  only  decorations  four  weather- 
tarnished  and  lack-lustre  stars  sewed  upon  the  left  breast, 
paced  up  and  down  the  promenade,  which  he  had  caused 
to  be  made  by  removing  the  large  skylight  over  his  cabin, 
and  planking  in  the  space  thus  created. 

After  several  attempts,  Dick  in  company  with  a  score 
of  others  had  just  succeeded  in  gaining  a  foot-hold  on  the 
decks  of  the  "  Redoubtable,"  when  a  blow  from  a  board- 
ing pike  took  him  unawares.  It  caught  him  full  in  the 
forehead,  and  although  happily  the  peak  of  his  cap  saved 


I 


TRAFALQAU   AND   HOME   AGAIN. 


245 


his  skull  from  being  fractured,  he  was  felled  to  the  deck^ 
insensible,  and  to  all  appearances  dead. 

Fortunately  his  fall  had  not  been  unnoticed.  A 
brother  officer  observed  it  and  at  once  rushed  to  pick 
him  up.  Seeing  at  a  glance  that  he  was  only  stunned 
he  called  to  a  big  bo'suu : 

"  Here,  Bowline,  carry  Mr.  Holland  back  to  the  {.hip 
and  hand  him  over  to  the  surgeon." 

Looking  rather  reluctant  to  leave  the  fight,  which  he 
was  evidently  enjoying  heartily,  the  bo'sun  picked  Dick 
up  with  ease,  and  bearing  him  back  to  the  "  Victory  " 
deposited  him  upon  the  quarter-deck  close  by  the  comb- 
ings of  the  cabin  ladder-way,  to  await  his  turn  at  the 
hands  of  the  over-worked  surgeons. 

As  Dick  lay  there  senseless  there  befell  a  calamity 
which  gloomed  the  gladness  of  that  glorious  victory. 

During  the  whole  of  the  operations  that  have  been 
outlined.  Lord  Nelson  and  Captain  Hardy  had  been  walk- 
ing up  and  down  the  promenade  built  over  the  sky-light. 
It  was  about  half-past  one  o'clock,  and  the  two  had  just 
arrived  within  one  pace  of  the  regular  turning  !pl  at 
the  cabin  ladder-way  when  the  admiral,  who,  regardless 
of  quarter-deck  etiquette,  was  walking  on  the  poii  side, 
suddenly  faced  left  about.  Captain  Hardy,  when  he  had 
taken  tL<)  other  step,  turned  also,  and  as  he  did  he  saw 
Lord  Nelso  1  in  the  act  of  falling. 

He  was  then  on  his  knees  trying  to  support  himself  by 
means  of  the  one  hand  that  was  left  him,  but,  this  giving 
way,  he  fell  over  on  his  left  side,  exactly  upon  the  spot 


246 


THE   GOOD   SHIP  GRYPHON. 


»jt    i 


I'D 


ii  i 


ii!i 


f  ". 


m. 


where  a  little  while  before  his  secretary,  Mr.  Scott,  had 
been  killed  by  a  round  shot. 

Rushing  to  the  chief's  side,  Captain  Hardy  said  as  he 
bent  to  lift  him  up : 

"  I  hope  you  are  not  badly  wounded,  sir." 

Lord  Nelson  shook  his  head  sadly.  "  They  have  done 
for  me  at  last.  Hardy,"  he  said. 

"  Oh,  no,  I  hope  not,"  responded  the  captain. 

"Yes,  they  have,"  was  the  mournful  response;  "my 
backbone  is  shot  through." 

And  so,  alas,  it  was.  A  musket-ball  fired  from  the 
mizzen-top  of  the  '*  Redoubtable "  had  entered  the  left 
shoulder  through  the  front  of  the  epaulet,  and  descend- 
ing, had  lodged  in  the  spine. 

Calling  up  several  of  the  men,  Captain  Hardy  bade 
them  bear  their  beloved  commander-in-chief  below,  and 
while  they  were  doing  so.  Lord  Nelson,  fearing  lest  his 
fall  should  dispirit  the  crew,  took  his  handkerchief  from 
his  pocket  and  covered  his  face  with  it  that  he  might  not 
be  recognized. 

The  next  one  to  be  born  to  the  cock-pit  was  Dick,  still 
silent  and  motionless. 

While  the  great  admiral's  life  was  swiftly  ebbing  away, 
and  consciousness  was  returning  to  the  boyish  sub-lieuten- 
ant, the  eventful  struge^le  went  on,  until  one  by  one  the 
French  and  Spanish  ships  had  either  struck  their  colors, 
or  fled  in  dire  confusion,  and  the  British  vessels,  though 
cruelly  battered,  and  mourning  the  loss  of  many  a  gal- 
lant seaman,  were  left  unquestioned  conquerors. 


TRAFALGAR  AND  HOME  AGAIN. 


247 


It  had  been  indeed  a  notable  victory.  Nine  French  and 
nine  Spanish  sail  of  the  line  were  captured,  and  the  mari- 
time power  of  both  nations  was  broken  for  many  decades 
to  come.  Yet  the  British  people  felt  that  the  cost  had 
been  all  too  great,  since  part  of  the  price  was  paid  by 
their  best-beloved  warrior,  who  breathed  his  last  with 
the  shouts  of  triumph  beating  upon  his  ears. 


my 


way, 

teu- 
the 
ors, 
>ugh 
gal- 


Although  the  effects  of  the  blow  were  perceptible  for 
some  time  afterward,  Dick  resumed  duty  the  following 
morning,  and,  when  the  fleet  went  back  to  England,  was 
able  to  take  his  part  in  the  proceedings  of  mingled  rejoic- 
ing and  mourning  that  marked  the  return  of  the  victors. 

Rewards  and  honors  fell  thick  and  fast  upon  all  who 
had  had  a  share  in  the  historic  struggle,  and  he  was  not 
overlooked.  Despite  his  vouth  he  was  promoted  to  a  full 
lieutenantcy,  and  then  was  granted  a  three  months'  fur- 
lough, which  of  course  he  hastened  to  spend  in  his 
mother's  society. 

Having  thus  brought  him  once  more  back  to  that 
sunny  cottage  in  Kent,  this  record  must  bid  him  farewell. 
It  would  be  pleasant  to  tell  in  detail  of  his  future  career, 
and  of  the  many  experiences  he  had.  That  as  lieutenant, 
captain,  etc.,  he  was  the  same  manly  fellow,  obedient  to 
superiors;  considerate  of  dependents,  doing  his  best  in 
each  duty  assigned  him,  and  not  forgetting  the  higher 
service  of  the  higher  Commander.  But  we  must  leave 
him,  yet  not  without  adding  this,  that  ever  keeping  on  the 
bfime  right  tack  he  sailed  steadily  forward  across  the  ocean 


lA 


248 


THE  GOOD  SHIP  GRYPHON. 


of  life,  fearing  God  and  loving  his  fellows,  respected  and 
beloved  by  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  until  in 
in  due  time,  though  not  before  he  had  reached  the  rank 
of  vice-admiral,  he  was  brought  unto  that  desired  haven 
whither  the  right  tack  surely  leads. 


'I'tus  EHS. 


rii 


and 
1  in 
:ank 
iven 


